The Origin, Development and Molecular Diversity of Rodent Olfactory Bulb Glutamatergic Neurons Distinguished by Expression of Transcription Factor NeuroD1

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 1;10(6):e0128035. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128035. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Production of olfactory bulb neurons occurs continuously in the rodent brain. Little is known, however, about cellular diversity in the glutamatergic neuron subpopulation. In the central nervous system, the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor NeuroD1 (ND1) is commonly associated with glutamatergic neuron development. In this study, we utilized ND1 to identify the different subpopulations of olfactory bulb glutamategic neurons and their progenitors, both in the embryo and postnatally. Using knock-in mice, transgenic mice and retroviral transgene delivery, we demonstrate the existence of several different populations of glutamatergic olfactory bulb neurons, the progenitors of which are ND1+ and ND1- lineage-restricted, and are temporally and regionally separated. We show that the first olfactory bulb glutamatergic neurons produced - the mitral cells - can be divided into molecularly diverse subpopulations. Our findings illustrate the complexity of neuronal diversity in the olfactory bulb and that seemingly homogenous neuronal populations can consist of multiple subpopulations with unique molecular signatures of transcription factors and expressing neuronal subtype-specific markers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Lineage
  • Ectopic Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism*
  • Lateral Ventricles / cytology
  • Lateral Ventricles / growth & development
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Olfactory Bulb / cytology*
  • Olfactory Bulb / growth & development*
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Eomes protein, mouse
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • Neurogenic differentiation factor 1
  • Glutamic Acid