The proposed research is aimed at characterizing a specialized subset of neurons in the olfactory epithelium. These D neurons appear to be unique in expressing a novel signal transduction pathway (guanylyl cyclase, GC- D) among olfactory receptor cells. These neurons may also be involved in mediating suckling behavior in neonatal rodents. The applicant proposes to: 1) isolate D neurons and characterize the signal transduction pathway and receptor molecules expressed in these cells; 2) show that GC-D is necessary for the normal expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the olfactory bulbs, as an indicator of afferent activity; 3) examine the projection patterns of D neurons; and 4) show that GC-D neurons are necessary for nipple attachment and suckling in neonatal mice.
These aims are related in an attempt to associate a specific subset of olfactory receptor cells, with unique signal transduction, to a particular set of neonatal behaviors. GC-D knockout/knockin mice will be generated to carry out the proposed experiments to identify D neurons, which make up less than 1% of olfactory receptor cells. A variety of molecular biological techniques will be used to screen isolated D neurons for the receptors and signal transduction components and use histochemical techniques for identifying projection patterns of D neurons and TH in the olfactory bulbs. In addition, GC-D transgenic mice will be used to examine the ability of neonates to attach to nipples and suckle.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03DC004779-03
Application #
6523578
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDC1-SRB-O (21))
Program Officer
Davis, Barry
Project Start
2000-08-01
Project End
2003-07-31
Budget Start
2002-08-01
Budget End
2003-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$74,250
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Baltimore
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
003255213
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21201
Leinders-Zufall, Trese; Cockerham, Renee E; Michalakis, Stylianos et al. (2007) Contribution of the receptor guanylyl cyclase GC-D to chemosensory function in the olfactory epithelium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:14507-12
Kelliher, Kevin R; Ziesmann, Jurgen; Munger, Steven D et al. (2003) Importance of the CNGA4 channel gene for odor discrimination and adaptation in behaving mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:4299-304
Zufall, F; Munger, S D (2001) From odor and pheromone transduction to the organization of the sense of smell. Trends Neurosci 24:191-3