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The olfactory system as a model for the analysis of the contribution of gene expression to programmed cell death

M D Hayward1, J I Morgan

  • 1Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, Roche Research Center, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.

Chemical Senses
|April 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Gene expression, including immediate-early genes (cIEGs) and bcl-2, is crucial for programmed cell death in the olfactory system. Researchers used transgenic mice to study gene roles in neuronal degeneration and regeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Programmed cell death (PCD) is often regulated by gene expression.
  • Cellular immediate-early genes (cIEGs), like c-fos and c-jun, are linked to neuronal degeneration.
  • bcl-2 and bax genes are directly involved in controlling cell death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of gene expression in cell death using the olfactory neuroepithelium model.
  • Utilize transgenic mice to track c-fos and c-jun expression and Bcl-2's protective effects.

Main Methods:

  • Employing the olfactory neuroepithelium due to spontaneous neuronal turnover and inducible degeneration.
  • Generating fos-lacZ and jun-lacZ transgenic mice to monitor c-fos and c-jun expression.
  • Developing transgenic mice with neuron-specific Bcl-2 expression to assess its neuroprotective role.

Main Results:

  • The study established a model system in the olfactory neuroepithelium for studying gene-mediated cell death.
  • Transgenic mice models were created to analyze the expression of key genes involved in neuronal survival and death.
  • Bcl-2's potential role in protecting olfactory receptor neurons was investigated under various conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Gene expression plays a significant role in the active elimination and regeneration of olfactory receptor neurons.
  • The developed transgenic mouse models provide valuable tools for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of neuronal cell death and survival.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the complex interplay of genes in olfactory neurogenesis and degeneration.

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