Wiring specificity in the olfactory system.
The fruitfly brain learns about the olfactory world by reading the activity of about 50 distinct channels of incoming information. The receptor neurons that compose each channel have their own distinctive odour response profile governed by a specific receptor molecule. These receptor neurons form highly specific connections in the first olfactory relay of the fly brain, each synapsing with specific second order partner neurons. We use this system to discuss the logic of wiring specificity in the brain and to review the cellular and molecular mechanisms that allow such precise wiring to develop.
Jefferis
Gregory S X E
GS
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom. gsxej2@cam.ac.uk
Hummel
Thomas
T
D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D018035:Receptors, Odorant