title: PACAP is present in the olfactory system and evokes calcium transients in olfactory receptor neurons.
abstract: Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), a neuroregulatory peptide, is found in germinative regions of the CNS, including the olfactory bulb, throughout adulthood. We show that 1) PACAP immunoreactivity is also present in the neonatal mouse and adult mouse and rat olfactory epithelium, 2) PACAP expression pattern differs between neonatal and adult mice, and 3) PACAP is produced by olfactory ensheathing cells. PACAP may thus be a key factor in the uniquely supportive role of olfactory ensheathing cells in regeneration of neurons from olfactory epithelium and lesioned spinal cord. Using calcium imaging, we demonstrated physiological responses to PACAP in both neonatal and adult olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). We propose that PACAP plays an important role in normal turnover of ORNs by providing neurotrophic support during development and regeneration and neuroprotective support of mature neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1297, USA.
authors.forename: Colleen C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hegg
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: A Jane
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Roskams
authors.forename: Mary T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lucero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: C495402:Adcyap1 protein, mouse; C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D002118:Calcium