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Zhang, Wenling

Biology

2004

Ph. D.

The terminal nerve extends to the nasal cavity from the basal forebrain, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) released from the terminal nerve might affect the activity of OSNs. I found that INa was modulated by GnRH in OSNs via cyclic nucleotide (cAMP and cGMP) pathways. GnRH modulated the odor responses in OSNs as well. During these recordings, it was observed that short term repetitive application of odors or IBMX/Forskolin caused a transient potentiation of the response in OSNs. Further experiments supported the hypothesis that the potentiation was related to local increases in [Ca²⁺]i with amplification by the Ca²⁺-dependent Cl⁻ current. Since cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels and Cl ̄channels mediate odor responses, it is possible that first entry of Ca²⁺ through CNG channel is buffered by intracellular calcium binding proteins and repetitive stimulation can cause local increases in [Ca²⁺]i, recruiting more Ca²⁺dependent Cl⁻ channels. Therefore, these studies revealed the modulation of the sodium channels, interaction between GnRH and olfaction, and amplification of the odor response in OSNs.