RESUMO
The chemosensory neuroepithelia of the vertebrate olfactory system share a life-long ability to regenerate. Novel neurons proliferate from basal stem cells that continuously replace old or damaged sensory neurons. The sensory neurons of the mouse and rat olfactory system specifically express bestrophin 2, a member of the bestrophin family of calcium-activated chloride channels. This channel was recently proposed to operate as a transduction channel in olfactory sensory cilia. We raised a polyclonal antibody against bestrophin 2 and characterized the expression pattern of this protein in the mouse main olfactory epithelium, septal organ of Masera, and vomeronasal organ. Comparison with the maturation markers growth-associated protein 43 and olfactory marker protein revealed that bestrophin 2 was expressed in developing sensory neurons of all chemosensory neuroepithelia, but was restricted to proximal cilia in mature sensory neurons. Our results suggest that bestrophin 2 plays a critical role during differentiation and growth of axons and cilia. In mature olfactory receptor neurons, it appears to support growth and function of sensory cilia.
Assuntos
Canais de Cloreto/metabolismo , Proteínas do Olho/metabolismo , Neurogênese/fisiologia , Mucosa Olfatória/fisiologia , Órgão Vomeronasal/fisiologia , Animais , Axônios/fisiologia , Bestrofinas , Canais de Cloreto/genética , Cílios/fisiologia , Proteínas do Olho/genética , Humanos , Camundongos , Bulbo Olfatório/citologia , Bulbo Olfatório/metabolismo , Proteína de Marcador Olfatório/genética , Proteína de Marcador Olfatório/metabolismo , Mucosa Olfatória/citologia , Percepção Olfatória/fisiologia , Neurônios Receptores Olfatórios/citologia , Neurônios Receptores Olfatórios/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/metabolismo , Órgão Vomeronasal/citologiaRESUMO
Olfactory sensory neurons expose to the inhaled air chemosensory cilia which bind odorants and operate as transduction organelles. Odorant receptors in the ciliary membrane activate a transduction cascade which uses cAMP and Ca(2+) for sensory signaling in the ciliary lumen. Although the canonical transduction pathway is well established, molecular components for more complex aspects of sensory transduction, like adaptation, regulation, and termination of the receptor response have not been systematically identified. Moreover, open questions in olfactory physiology include how the cilia exchange solutes with the surrounding mucus, assemble their highly polarized set of proteins, and cope with noxious substances in the ambient air. A specific ciliary proteome would promote research efforts in all of these fields. We have improved a method to detach cilia from rat olfactory sensory neurons and have isolated a preparation specifically enriched in ciliary membrane proteins. Using LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, we identified 377 proteins which constitute the olfactory cilia proteome. These proteins represent a comprehensive data set for olfactory research since more than 80% can be attributed to the characteristic functions of olfactory sensory neurons and their cilia: signal processing, protein targeting, neurogenesis, solute transport, and cytoprotection. Organellar proteomics thus yielded decisive information about the diverse physiological functions of a sensory organelle.
