Olfaction in Drosophila: coding, genetics and e-genetics.
Odor coding in Drosophila is examined at both the cellular and molecular levels. Functional analysis of individual olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) by single-unit electrophysiology has shown that ORNs divide into discrete classes, with each class exhibiting a characteristic odor response spectrum. Extensive analysis of ORNs in the maxillary palp has revealed six such classes, which are combined in sensilla according to a strict pairing rule. In order to identify the odor receptor genes that determine the odor specificity of these ORN classes, a new algorithm was designed to search DNA databases for proteins with a particular structure, as opposed to a particular sequence. The algorithm identified a large family of genes likely to encode odor receptors. The acj6 gene, originally identified in a screen for mutants defective in olfactory behavior, encodes a transcription factor that regulates a subset of these receptor genes, and is likely to play a critical role in the process by which ORNs select which receptors to express.
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA.
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Warr
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Clyne
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de Bruyne
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Kim
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Carlson
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D017344:Genes, Insect; D005810:Multigene Family; D009154:Mutation; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012903:Smell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
D018035:Receptors, Odorant