BIG-2 mediates olfactory axon convergence to target glomeruli

Neuron. 2008 Mar 27;57(6):834-46. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.01.023.

Abstract

Olfactory sensory neurons expressing a given odorant receptor converge axons onto a few topographically fixed glomeruli in the olfactory bulb, leading to establishment of the odor map. Here, we report that BIG-2/contactin-4, an axonal glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, is expressed in a subpopulation of mouse olfactory sensory neurons. A mosaic pattern of glomerular arrangement is observed with strongly BIG-2-positive, weakly positive, and negative axon terminals in the olfactory bulb, which is overlapping but not identical with those of Kirrel2 and ephrin-A5. There is a close correlation between the BIG-2 expression level and the odorant receptor choice in individual sensory neurons. In BIG-2-deficient mice, olfactory sensory neurons expressing a given odorant receptor frequently innervate multiple glomeruli at ectopic locations. These results suggest that BIG-2 is one of the axon guidance molecules crucial for the formation and maintenance of functional odor map in the olfactory bulb.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / deficiency
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / physiology*
  • Contactins
  • Ephrin-A5 / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutagenesis / physiology
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Olfactory Bulb / cytology*
  • Olfactory Marker Protein / genetics
  • Olfactory Marker Protein / metabolism
  • Olfactory Nerve / metabolism
  • Olfactory Nerve Injuries
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons / cytology*
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Cntn4 protein, mouse
  • Contactins
  • Ephrin-A5
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Olfactory Marker Protein