Abstract

In general, olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) are bipolar with an apical dendrite containing cilia or microvilli and a basal unmyelinated axon. In the squid, Lolliguncula brevis, five morphological variations on this general theme have been described. Preliminary data suggests a correlation between morphology and metabolite profiles in squid ORNs. Previous work in our lab has shown that a single squid ORN responds to two odors with opposing currents, suggesting activation of different odorant receptors and signal transduction pathways. Thus, this application is based on the hypotheses that: 1) squid ORN subtypes will have different but overlapping odor specificities; and 2) regardless of ORN subtype, odor-evoked excitatory responses will use a cAMP-mediated transduction pathway.
Specific Aim 1 will establish the odor specificities of squid ORN subtypes.
Specific Aim 2 will show that odors eliciting a depolarizing response in squid ORN subtypes are transduced by the same cAMP-mediated transduction pathway. Data will be analyzed for correlation between the transduction pathway, ORN metabolite profile, and odor specificities. The sense of smell contributes greatly to quality of life and is important as a warning against spoiled foods, gas leaks, or smoke. Recently, there have been several studies correlating the loss of smell with early onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. These diseases imply that there is a greater need to understand the olfactory system.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31DC006793-03
Application #
6998922
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2004-01-01
Project End
2006-12-31
Budget Start
2006-01-01
Budget End
2006-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$28,477
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Utah
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009095365
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112

  Publications

Mobley, Arie Sitthichai; Michel, William C; Lucero, Mary T (2008) Odorant responsiveness of squid olfactory receptor neurons. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 291:763-74
Mobley, Arie Sitthichai; Lucero, Mary T; Michel, William C (2008) Cross-species comparison of metabolite profiles in chemosensory epithelia: an indication of metabolite roles in chemosensory cells. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 291:410-32
Mobley, Arie Sitthichai; Mahendra, Gandham; Lucero, Mary T (2007) Evidence for multiple signaling pathways in single squid olfactory receptor neurons. J Comp Neurol 501:231-42