title: Sensational placodes: neurogenesis in the otic and olfactory systems.
abstract: For both the intricate morphogenetic layout of the sensory cells in the ear and the elegantly radial arrangement of the sensory neurons in the nose, numerous signaling molecules and genetic determinants are required in concert to generate these specialized neuronal populations that help connect us to our environment. In this review, we outline many of the proteins and pathways that play essential roles in the differentiation of otic and olfactory neurons and their integration into their non-neuronal support structures. In both cases, well-known signaling pathways together with region-specific factors transform thickened ectodermal placodes into complex sense organs containing numerous, diverse neuronal subtypes. Olfactory and otic placodes, in combination with migratory neural crest stem cells, generate highly specialized subtypes of neuronal cells that sense sound, position and movement in space, odors and pheromones throughout our lives.
authors: MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics and Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK. Electronic address: e.maier@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: Esther C
authors: EC
authors: Maier
authors: Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, MC 139-74, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. Electronic address: saxena@caltech.edu.
authors: Ankur
authors: A
authors: Saxena
authors: Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Universitat Pompeu Fabra/PRBB, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: berta.alsina@upf.edu.
authors: Berta
authors: B
authors: Alsina
authors: Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, MC 139-74, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. Electronic address: mbronner@caltech.edu.
authors: Marianne E
authors: ME
authors: Bronner
authors: MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics and Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK. Electronic address: t.whitfield@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: Tanya T
authors: TT
authors: Whitfield
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: Hair cell; Neurogenesis; Olfactory; Otic; Sensory neuron