Stereotyped connectivity and computations in higher-order olfactory neurons

Nat Neurosci. 2014 Feb;17(2):280-8. doi: 10.1038/nn.3613. Epub 2013 Dec 22.

Abstract

In the first brain relay of the olfactory system, odors are encoded by combinations of glomeruli, but it is not known how glomerular signals are ultimately integrated. In Drosophila melanogaster, the majority of glomerular projections target the lateral horn. Here we show that lateral horn neurons (LHNs) receive input from sparse and stereotyped combinations of glomeruli that are coactivated by odors, and certain combinations of glomeruli are over-represented. One morphological LHN type is broadly tuned and sums input from multiple glomeruli. These neurons have a broader dynamic range than their individual glomerular inputs do. By contrast, a second morphological type is narrowly tuned and receives prominent odor-selective inhibition through both direct and indirect pathways. We show that this wiring scheme confers increased selectivity. The biased stereotyped connectivity of the lateral horn contrasts with the probabilistic wiring of the mushroom body, reflecting the distinct roles of these regions in innate as compared to learned behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Biophysics
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Lasers
  • Lysine / analogs & derivatives
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Models, Neurological
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neurons / classification*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Odorants
  • Olfactory Pathways / cytology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • biocytin
  • Lysine