The long term goals of this proposal are to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that generate the precise connectivity of neurons in the brain. The olfactory system provides an excellent model for axon guidance because a large number of functionally distinct neurons must be wired appropriately for the brain to perceive and discriminate odors. Experiments will be carried out in the fruit fly, Drosphila melanogaster, which has a functionally sophisticated but anatomically simple olfactory system. The availability of the complete genome sequence of this model genetic organism makes it possible to study olfaction at the level of genes, molecules, neurons, and behavior. Approximately 1300 olfactory neurons are wired to 43 olfactory glomeruli in the brain, generating an olfactory sensory map. Odorant recognition is likely to be mediated by a large family of novel odorant receptor genes, which encode 60 different seven transmembrane domain G protein-coupled receptors. In preliminary studies, the P.I. has genetically labeled all neurons expressing a given receptor and demonstrated that axons from these neurons converge with precision to one or two glomeruli in the brain. These studies have led to the hypothesis that functional properties of the olfactory neuron itself are determinants in target selection in the brain. To test this hypothesis, the following specific aims are proposed: (1) Developmental analysis of olfactory axon guidance. (2) Role of the larval antennal nerve as a pioneer fiber in adult olfactory axon guidance. (3) Contribution of the odorant receptor protein to target recognition. (4) Influence of synaptic activity on the formation of the olfactory map. A genetic approach will be used to trace olfactory axon projections in developing animals, in animals whose larval olfactory neurons have been conditionally ablated, and in which neurons expressing a given receptor misexpress a second odorant receptor or a cell- autonomous blocker of synaptic activity. The health relatedness of these studies is that cellular and molecular factors that regulate axonal pathfinding may have direct application to neurological and psychiatric disorders with a developmental basis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC005036-03
Application #
6616093
Study Section
Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience 8 (IFCN)
Program Officer
Davis, Barry
Project Start
2001-08-01
Project End
2006-12-31
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2004-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$292,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Rockefeller University
Department
Genetics
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
071037113
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065
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