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Published on: May 6, 2010
Does olfactory marker protein participate in olfactory neurogenesis?
A I Farbman1, J A Buchholz, E Walters
1Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA. afarbman@nwu.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|February 4, 1999
Summary
Olfactory marker protein (OMP) promotes cell division in olfactory sensory neurons. This protein, OMP, may play a role in the multifactorial regulation of neurogenesis in olfactory tissues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Olfactory marker protein (OMP) is abundant in mature olfactory sensory neurons, but its function remains unclear.
- Studies on OMP-null mice show altered neuronal activity, suggesting a role for OMP.
- Increased OMP expression is observed in sensory neurons deprived of their olfactory bulb target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of recombinant OMP on cell division in olfactory epithelium.
- To determine if OMP influences neurogenesis in the olfactory system.
Main Methods:
- Organotypic cultures of fetal rat olfactory epithelium were used.
- Cultures were treated with varying concentrations of recombinant OMP.
- Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse labeling and immunohistochemistry identified proliferating cells.
Main Results:
- Recombinant OMP caused a dose-dependent increase in cell proliferation.
- A significant increase in BrdU-positive cells was observed, plateauing at 25 pM OMP.
- OMP significantly enhanced cell division compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- OMP promotes cell division in olfactory epithelium.
- These findings suggest OMP plays a role in the regulation of neurogenesis in olfactory tissue.
- Olfactory tissue neurogenesis is a multifactorial process involving factors like OMP.
