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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

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GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory...
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Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors01:30

Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors

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G Protein–Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to various stimuli. GPCRs regulate critical physiological pathways and are excellent drug targets for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, or Alzheimer's. Nearly 35% of approved drugs implement their therapeutic effects by selectively interacting with specific GPCRs.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical,...
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G Protein-coupled Receptors01:15

G Protein-coupled Receptors

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G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Quadruple Immunostaining of the Olfactory Bulb for Visualization of Olfactory Sensory Axon Molecular Identity Codes
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Roles of odorant receptors during olfactory glomerular map formation.

Ai Nakashima1, Haruki Takeuchi2

  • 1Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

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|June 14, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The olfactory system maps odorant receptor (OR) identity to specific glomeruli in the olfactory bulb (OB). This review explores how ORs regulate gene expression for precise glomerular organization.

Keywords:
G‐protein‐coupled receptorsagonist‐independent activityaxonal projectioncAMPodorant receptorsolfactory mapolfactory sensory neurons

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Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor
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Recording Temperature-induced Neuronal Activity through Monitoring Calcium Changes in the Olfactory Bulb of Xenopus laevis
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing the same odorant receptor (OR) converge onto specific glomeruli in the olfactory bulb (OB).
  • The identity of the OR dictates the precise topographical organization of these glomeruli within the OB.
  • ORs are known to influence the expression of transmembrane proteins, which are crucial for glomerular formation and regional targeting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms by which odorant receptor identity is translated into gene expression programs within olfactory sensory neurons.
  • To elucidate the intracellular regulatory pathways that govern the formation of the olfactory glomerular map.
  • To highlight the role of transmembrane proteins in OR-mediated glomerular organization.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research and evidence from various studies.
  • It focuses on the interpretation of intracellular signaling pathways.
  • It examines the genetic and molecular underpinnings of olfactory map formation.

Main Results:

  • Odorant receptor identity serves as a critical determinant for the spatial organization of olfactory glomeruli.
  • Olfactory receptor expression levels are modulated by intracellular mechanisms.
  • Transmembrane protein expression is regulated by OR identity, contributing to precise glomerular targeting within the olfactory bulb.

Conclusions:

  • The precise organization of the olfactory glomerular map is orchestrated by the identity of the odorant receptor expressed by OSNs.
  • Intracellular regulatory mechanisms decode OR identity into specific gene expression patterns.
  • Understanding these molecular processes is key to comprehending olfactory system development and function.