Gap junctions in olfactory neurons modulate olfactory sensitivity

Zhang, Chunbo

doi:10.1186/1471-2202-11-108

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Expression of Cx43 is limited to astrocytes and ensheathing cells in the OB (Rash et al, 2005), though its expression in the olfactory epithelium can affect synaptic transmission to OB glomeruli (Zhang, 2010). Ensheathing cells do not appear to impact synaptic transmission in the OB; astrocytes, however, can express circadian rhythms (Prolo et al, 2005), and can have effects on synaptic transmission (reviewed in Halassa and Haydon, 2010), though neither has been demonstrated in OB astrocytes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connexin and AMPA receptor expression changes over time in the rat olfactory bulb

2012

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Circadian rhythms affect olfaction by an unknown molecular mechanism. Independent of the suprachiasmatic nuclei, the mammalian olfactory bulb (OB) has recently been identified as a circadian oscillator. The electrical activity in the OB was reported to be synchronized to a daily rhythm and the clock gene, Period1, was oscillatory in its expression pattern. Because gap junctions composed of connexin36 and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) have been reported to work together to synchronize firing of action potentials in the OB, we hypothesized that circadian electrical oscillations could be synchronized by daily changes in the expression of connexins and AMPAR subunits (GluR1–4). We examined the OB for the presence of clock genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and whether Period2, connexins, and AMPARs fluctuated across the light/dark cycle by quantitative PCR or SDS–PAGE/Western blot analysis. We observed significant changes in the messenger RNA and protein expression of our targets across 24 or 48 h. Whereas most targets were rhythmic by some measures, only GluR1 mRNA and protein were both rhythmic by the majority of our tests of rhythmicity across all time scales. Differential expression of these synaptic proteins over the light/dark cycle may underlie circadian synchronization of action potential firing in the OB or modify synaptic interactions that would be predicted to impact olfactory coding, such as alteration of granule cell inhibition, increased number of available AMPARs to bind glutamate, or an increased gap junction conductance between mitral/tufted cells.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Connexin and AMPA receptor expression changes over time in the rat olfactory bulb

2012

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“…Whether and how Cx57 influences olfactory sensitivity has yet to be explored. Evidence shows that functional disruption of gap junctions in olfactory neurons reduces olfactory sensitivity (Zhang, 2010). In the olfactory bulb, Cx36 mediated gap junction coupling contributes to mitral cell lateral excitation (Christie and Westbrook, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among twenty connexin (Cx) genes discovered in mouse and twenty-one in human genomes, nearly half of them are expressed in the nervous system. While ultrastructural studies demonstrate that Cx36 and Cx45 are expressed in neurons (Rash et al, 2001; Pereda et al, 2003; Rash et al, 2005), molecular biological and transgenic studies indicate that Cx43 and Cx57 are also expressed in neurons (Zhang et al, 2000; Hombach et al, 2004) and have significant physiological functions (Zhang and Restrepo, 2005; Shelley et al, 2006; Zhang, 2010). A recent study has shown that Cx30.2 is another neuronal gap junction protein although its function remains undefined (Kreuzberg et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expression of connexin 57 in the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb

Zhang

2011

Neuroscience Research

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In the visual system, deletion of connexin 57 (Cx57) reduces gap junction coupling among horizontal cells and results in smaller receptive fields. To explore potential functions of Cx57 in olfaction, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods were used to investigate expression of Cx57 in the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb. Hybridization signal was stronger in the olfactory epithelial layer compared to the connective tissue underneath. Within the sensory epithelial layer, hybridization signal was visible in sublayers containing cell bodies of basal cells and olfactory neurons but not evident at the apical sublayer comprising cell bodies of sustentacular cells. These Cx57 positive cells were clustered into small groups to form different patterns in the olfactory epithelium. However, individual patterns did not associate with specific regions of olfactory turbinates or specific olfactory receptor zones. Patched distribution of hybridization positive cells was also observed in the olfactory bulb and accessory olfactory bulb in layers where granule cells, mitral cells, and juxtaglomerular cells reside. Immunostaining was observed in the cell types described above but the intensity was weaker than that in the retina. This study has provided anatomical basis for future studies on the function of Cx57 in the olfactory system.

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“…A possible role of connexin30.3 in olfaction was characterized in connexin30.3-deficient mice (Zheng-Fischhöfer et al, 2007). Besides, gap junction proteins are able to modulate odor response in OSNs (Zhang, 2010). These studies provide evidence to support that gap junctions are likely to play a role in regulation of odor sensitivity in receptor neurons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%