Grueneberg Ganglion Neurons Are Activated by a Defined Set of Odorants

Mamasuew, Katharina; Hofmann, Nina; Breer, Heinz; Fleischer, Joerg

doi:10.1093/chemse/bjq124

Cited by 48 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The function of the Grueneberg ganglion is apparently multimodal, as it is responsive to both thermo-and chemostimuli (Mamasuew et al, 2008;Chao et al, 2010;Schmid et al, 2010;Mamasuew et al, 2011). The structure also responds to volatile molecules produced by stressed mice, an activation that leads to a freezing behavior in the recipient animals (Brechbuhl et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The wiring of Grueneberg ganglion axons is dependent on neuropilin 1

et al. 2012

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SUMMARYThe Grueneberg ganglion is a specialized olfactory sensor. In mice, its activation induces freezing behavior. The topographical map corresponding to the central projections of its sensory axons is poorly defined, as well as the guidance molecules involved in its establishment. We took a transgenic approach to label exclusively Grueneberg sensory neurons and their axonal projections. We observed that a stereotyped convergence map in a series of coalescent neuropil-rich structures is already present at birth. These structures are part of a peculiar and complex neuronal circuit, composed of a chain of glomeruli organized in a necklace pattern that entirely surrounds the trunk of the olfactory bulb. We found that the necklace chain is composed of two different sets of glomeruli: one exclusively innervated by Grueneberg ganglion neurons, the other by axonal inputs from the main olfactory neuroepithelium. Combining the transgenic Grueneberg reporter mouse with a conditional null genetic approach, we then show that the axonal wiring of Grueneberg neurons is dependent on neuropilin 1 expression. Neuropilin 1-deficient Grueneberg axonal projections lose their strict and characteristic avoidance of vomeronasal glomeruli, glomeruli that are innervated by secondary neurons expressing the repulsive guidance cue and main neuropilin 1 ligand Sema3a. Taken together, our observations represent a first step in the understanding of the circuitry and the coding strategy used by the Grueneberg system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The wiring of Grueneberg ganglion axons is dependent on neuropilin 1

et al. 2012

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“…Each cell sends out a single axon, and axons fasciculate immediately as they project caudally along the dorsal roof of the nasal cavity to the necklace complex in the olfactory bulb (24-26, 28, 29). The GG displays multimodal properties (21,(30)(31)(32)(33) and starts developing around embryonic day 16. Contrary to the other olfactory subsystems, the GG appears to be complete and functional at birth (24)(25)(26)(27)(28), ensuring immediate AP sensing and increasing chances of survival in the wild.…”

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confidence: 99%

Mouse alarm pheromone shares structural similarity with predator scents

Brechbühl

Moine

Klaey

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

162

234

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Sensing the chemical warnings present in the environment is essential for species survival. In mammals, this form of danger communication occurs via the release of natural predator scents that can involuntarily warn the prey or by the production of alarm pheromones by the stressed prey alerting its conspecifics. Although we previously identified the olfactory Grueneberg ganglion as the sensory organ through which mammalian alarm pheromones signal a threatening situation, the chemical nature of these cues remains elusive. We here identify, through chemical analysis in combination with a series of physiological and behavioral tests, the chemical structure of a mouse alarm pheromone. To successfully recognize the volatile cues that signal danger, we based our selection on their activation of the mouse olfactory Grueneberg ganglion and the concomitant display of innate fear reactions. Interestingly, we found that the chemical structure of the identified mouse alarm pheromone has similar features as the sulfur-containing volatiles that are released by predating carnivores. Our findings thus not only reveal a chemical Leitmotiv that underlies signaling of fear, but also point to a double role for the olfactory Grueneberg ganglion in intraspecies as well as interspecies communication of danger.olfaction | animal communication | behavior | calcium imaging

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“…In particular, pGC-G and V2r83 are expressed on the same sets of neurons (Fleischer et al 2009). In vivo studies demonstrate that both cold temperatures and dimethylpyrazine are detected by the pGC-G/V2r83 neuronal subset (Mamasuew et al 2010(Mamasuew et al , 2011.…”

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confidence: 94%

“…The vast majority of neurons in both in vivo (Mamasuew et al 2008) and in vitro studies respond to cold with increased c-Fos levels and [Ca 2ϩ ] bursts, respectively. Thermosensitive [Ca 2ϩ ] bursts rely on tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na ϩ channels , supporting the idea that GG neurons encode and process information by firing action potentials.…”

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confidence: 99%