Date of Award

Summer 8-2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Neuroscience Institute

First Advisor

Charles D Derby

Second Advisor

Timothy S McClintock

Third Advisor

Manfred Schmidt

Fourth Advisor

Phang C Tai

Fifth Advisor

William W Walthall

Abstract

Adult neurogenesis of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) occurs in diverse organisms including in decapod crustaceans. This dissertation describes the molecular, cellular, and physiological changes that occur during adult neurogenesis of ORNs in the antennular lateral flagellum (LF) of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus. Examination of the role of splash (spiny lobster achaete scute homolog) in adult neurogenesis and regeneration using in situ hybridization showed splash was not closely associated with the formation of sensory neurons under normal physiological conditions. Damage to the LF, which induces regeneration, enhanced splash expression, suggesting an association between splash with regeneration and repair. This study suggests that splash plays multiple roles in the olfactory organ of adult spiny lobsters. Examination of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ in mediating spontaneous and odor-induced responses of ORNs, using calcium imaging showed that odor-induced Ca2+ transient responses and spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in ORN somata are primarily mediated by an influx of extracellular Ca2+ through Co2+ -sensitive Ca2+ channels, but that intracellular Ca2+stores also have some contribution. These responses are independent of TTX-sensitive Na+ channels, suggesting that these Ca2+ responses may reflect receptor potentials. Examination of changes in odor specificity, sensitivity, and temporal responses in adult-born ORNs showed an increase in the percentage of odorant-responsive ORNs as they age from newly-born cells to mature, and a decrease in odorant-responsive ORNs as they senesce. As adult-born ORNs age, there was a decrease in the percentage of ORNs that undergo spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations and an increase in the amplitude of oscillation. ORNs became more broadly tuned as they senesce, and their response profile, defined by the most effective odorant, changed. Odor sensitivity changed with age. This study demonstrated that the physiological response properties of adult-born ORNs changed with functional maturation. Taken together, this dissertation reveals molecular, cellular and physiological changes in adult born ORNs and elucidates mechanisms of adult neurogenesis.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/3005350

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