Selectivity and response characteristics of human olfactory neurons.
Publication/Presentation Date
3-1-1997
Abstract
Transduction mechanisms were investigated in human olfactory neurons by determining characteristics of odorant-induced changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Olfactory neurons were freshly isolated from nasal biopsies, allowed to attach to coverslips, and loaded with the calcium-sensitive indicator fura-2. Changes in [Ca2+]i were studied in response to exposure to individual odors, or odorant mixtures composed to distinguish between transduction pathways mediated by adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cAMP; mix A) or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3; mix B). Overall, 52% of biopsies produced one or more odorant-responsive olfactory neurons, whereas 24% of all olfactory neurons tested responded to odorant exposure with a change in [Ca2+]i. As in olfactory neurons from other species, the data suggest that odorant exposure elicited calcium influx via second-messenger pathways involving cAMP or InsP3. Unlike olfactory neurons from other species that have been tested, some human olfactory neurons responded to odorants with decreases in [Ca2+]i. Also in contrast with olfactory neurons from other species, human olfactory neurons were better able to discriminate between odorant mixtures in that no neuron responded to more than one type of odor or mixture. These results suggest the presence of a previously unreported type of olfactory transduction mechanism, and raise the possibility that coding of odor qualities in humans may be accomplished to some degree differently than in other vertebrates, with the olfactory neuron itself making a greater contribution to the discrimination process.
Volume
77
Issue
3
First Page
1606
Last Page
1613
ISSN
0022-3077
Published In/Presented At
Rawson, N. E., Gomez, G., Cowart, B., Brand, J. G., Lowry, L. D., Pribitkin, E. A., & Restrepo, D. (1997). Selectivity and response characteristics of human olfactory neurons. Journal of neurophysiology, 77(3), 1606–1613. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.1997.77.3.1606
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
9084623
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article