Discrimination of odorants is thought to arise from the selective expression of one of a small number of individual receptors in any single olfactory neuron. Receptor genes are expressed in a small subset of neurons throughout a zonally restricted region of the sensory epithelium. We demonstrate that a 6.7 kb region upstream of the M4 olfactory receptor coding region was sufficient to direct ex...

Although the most intensively studied mammalian olfactory system is that of the mouse, in which olfactory chemical cues of one kind or another are detected in four different nasal areas [the main olfactory epithelium (MOE), the septal organ (SO), Grüneberg's ganglion, and the sensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ (VNO)], the extraordinarily sensitive olfactory system of the dog is also an...

Persistent neurogenesis in the olfactory epithelium provides a unique model to study neural stem cell self-renewal and fate determination. In the olfactory neuroepithelium, globose basal cells (GBCs) are considered to be the direct progenitors of olfactory neurons. However, the study of neurogenesis from GBCs has been impeded by the paucity of GBC-specific markers. Here we report that Lgr5, a r...

Mutations in CHD7, a chromodomain gene, are present in a majority of individuals with CHARGE syndrome, a multiple anomaly disorder characterized by ocular Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retarded growth and development, Genital hypoplasia and Ear anomalies. The clinical features of CHARGE syndrome are highly variable and incompletely penetrant. Olfactory dysfunction is a common...

This work describes a biophysical model of the initial stages of vertebrate olfactory system containing structures representing the olfactory epithelium and bulb. Its main novelty is the introduction of gap junctions connecting neurons both in the epithelium and bulb, and of biologically detailed dendrodendritic synapses between granule and mitral cells in the bulb. The model was used to simula...

The terms "microsmatic" and "macrosmatic" refer to species with lesser or greater levels, respectively, of olfactory function. Historically, primates are considered microsmats (olfactory sense reduced) with a concomitant increased emphasis on vision. The olfactory bulbs (forebrain centers that receive peripheral olfactory input) are proportionately smaller in primates compared to most other mam...

Abstract Nasal anatomy in rodents is well-studied, but most current knowledge based on small-bodied muroid species. and histology of hystricognaths, the largest living rodents, remains poorly understood. Here, we describe nasal cavity agoutis ( Dasyprocta spp.), first large-bodied South American to be studied histologically throughout cavity. Two adult were using microcomputed tomography, one t...

I solated congenital anosmia (MIM 107200) is a very rare condition characterised by a complete smelling defect that is present from birth in otherwise normal subjects. To our knowledge, nine sporadic cases of isolated congenital anosmia have been known, 2 and patients reported by Lygonis and those by us were only familial isolated congenital anosmia. Other cases of familial congenital anosmia h...

The sense of smell is conveyed by the olfactory sensory neurons of the olfactory mucosa. Uniquely for sensory systems, the olfactory neurons directly face the external environment and are thus vulnerable to infections and changes in the airway surface liquid, but the surface liquid production and maintenance is not well understood. Here we show in rats and mice that Bowman's glands secrete the ...

I solated congenital anosmia (MIM 107200) is a very rare condition characterised by a complete smelling defect that is present from birth in otherwise normal subjects. To our knowledge, nine sporadic cases of isolated congenital anosmia have been known, 2 and patients reported by Lygonis and those by us were only familial isolated congenital anosmia. Other cases of familial congenital anosmia h...