Spatio-temporal specification of olfactory bulb interneurons

J Mol Histol. 2007 Dec;38(6):563-9. doi: 10.1007/s10735-007-9111-8. Epub 2007 Jun 22.

Abstract

Olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons are continuously generated throughout development and in adulthood, and are derived from different progenitor zones. Once integrated in the OB circuits, interneurons play essential roles in olfactory information processing by modulating the activity of major output neurons. These functions are performed by multiple classes of neurons that differ in their spatial distribution, morphology, neurochemical and synaptic properties. This diversity, and the continuous neurogenesis make the understanding of the specification mechanisms in the OB a challenging task. New studies suggest that both intrinsic and extrinsic cues are involved in fate determination of OB interneurons. In both development and adulthood the expression of specific transcription factors not only defines different progenitor regions but also precise interneuronal phenotypes. Here we discuss recent findings on the molecular mechanisms regulating production and diversity of OB interneurons with respect to the spatial and temporal parameters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Interneurons / cytology
  • Interneurons / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Olfactory Bulb / cytology*
  • Olfactory Bulb / embryology
  • Olfactory Bulb / physiology*
  • Olfactory Pathways / cytology
  • Olfactory Pathways / embryology
  • Olfactory Pathways / physiology
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Telencephalon / cytology
  • Telencephalon / embryology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factors