Targeted Deletion of a Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel Subunit (OCNC1): Biochemical and Morphological Consequences in Adult Mice

Abstract

The olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit 1 (OCNC1) is required for signal transduction in olfactory receptor cells. To further investigate the role of this channel in the olfactory system, the biochemical and morphological consequences of targeted disruption of OCNC1 were investigated in adult mice. Null as compared to wild-type mice had smaller olfactory bulbs, suggesting compromised development of the central target of the receptor cells. Ectopic olfactory marker protein (OMP)-stained fibers localized to the external plexiform layer reflected the relative immaturity of the olfactory bulb in the null mice. The olfactory epithelium of the knock-out mouse was thinner and showed lower expression of olfactory marker protein and growth-associated protein 43, indicating decreases in both generation and maturation of receptor cells. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the olfactory bulb, examined as a reflection of afferent activity, was reduced in the majority of periglomerular neurons but retained in atypical or “necklace” glomeruli localized to posterior aspects of the olfactory bulb. Double label studies demonstrated that the remaining TH-immunostained neurons received their innervation from a subset of receptor cells previously shown to express a phosphodiesterase that differs from that found in most receptor cells. These data indicate that expression of OCNC1 is required for normal development of the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb. The robust expression of TH in some periglomerular cells in the OCNC1-null mice suggests that receptor cells innervating these glomeruli may use an alternate signal transduction pathway.

The olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (OCNC), a nonselective cation channel, is an integral component of the signal transduction pathway in olfactory receptor neurons (Zufall et al., 1994; Zagotta and Siegelbaum, 1996;Wei et al., 1998). In olfactory transduction, a G-protein couples odorant-activated receptors to the elevation of intracellular cAMP levels through stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, leading to direct gating of the OCNC and initial depolarization of olfactory receptor neurons (Jones and Reed, 1989; Buck and Axel, 1991). Three channel subunits were shown to be expressed in the olfactory epithelium (OE): the relatively olfactory-specific OCNC1 and OCNC2 subunits, as well as an olfactory-specific splice variant of the rod photoreceptor β subunit (Dhallan et al., 1990; Liman and Buck, 1994; Bradley et al., 1994; Sautter et al., 1998; Bönigk et al., 1999). OCNC1 forms functional homodimers in vitro (Dhallan et al., 1990) butin vivo is thought to be associated with either the β subunit and/or OCNC2, each of which confers greater sensitivity to cyclic nucleotides and changes in single-channel kinetics (Bradley et al., 1994; Liman and Buck, 1994; Sautter et al., 1998; Bönigk et al., 1999).

A recent study reported that neonatal mice deficient in OCNC1 were anosmic (Brunet et al., 1996) and died within a few days after birth, although methods were recently developed to promote their survival (Parent et al., 1998). These mice exhibited no EOG responses to odorants previously shown to increase synthesis of either cAMP or IP3 (Boekhoff et al., 1990; Breer et al., 1990) or to complex odorants such as urine, suggesting a lack of sensitivity to all odors. Because the EOG is a cell population measure, responses might not have been detected that are mediated through transduction pathways expressed only in a subpopulation of receptor neurons.

Our laboratories addressed this issue by examining afferent neuron activity-dependent regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the olfactory bulb. TH expression in intrinsic periglomerular neurons shows profound downregulation after either deafferentation or naris closure and upregulation after reafferentation (Nadi et al., 1981; Kawano and Margolis, 1982; Baker et al., 1983, 1993; Kosaka et al., 1987; Cho et al., 1996). These observations indicate that bulbar TH expression reflects afferent stimulation of the olfactory bulb.

Recently, receptor neurons were characterized (Juilfs et al., 1997) that are localized to the posterior recesses of the OE and project to a small group of atypical, modified, or “necklace” glomeruli found in posterior aspects of the olfactory bulb (Greer et al., 1982; Pedersen et al., 1986; Zheng et al., 1987; Shinoda et al., 1989, 1990; Ring et al., 1997). These receptor neurons express both a specific guanylyl cyclase (GC-D) and a cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase, PDE2 (Juilfs et al., 1997). The presence of PDE2 and GC-D in a specific subset of receptor neurons and their unique projection patterns suggests that a second cyclic nucleotide-mediated transduction pathway may be active in the OE. If this second pathway is functioning in OCNC1-null mice then its activity should also be evidenced by alterations in activity-based measures of gene expression in the olfactory bulb.

The current studies used a line of OCNC1-null mice generated in our laboratory that survived to adulthood (Parent et al., 1998). All glomeruli in wild-type mice exhibited extensive TH immunoreactivity. In null mice, many TH-immunostained cells were found in necklace glomeruli, but few in other glomeruli, suggesting that necklace glomeruli receive input from receptor neurons that use an alternate signal transduction pathway, independent of the cAMP-activated OCNC1 channel. Differences in olfactory bulb and epithelial morphology also indicated that loss of OCNC1 and resultant long-term odor deprivation compromised normal development of the olfactory system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Animals. Wild-type (male and female) and hemizygous OCNC1-null (male) mice on a 129/svImJ × C57Bl/6J background (Parent et al., 1998) were raised to adulthood in our laboratories. This line, developed in our laboratory, also produces the high level of neonatal lethality reported by Brunet et al. (1996). This property can be overcome by reduction of litter size within the first 24 hr after birth. Presumably, by reducing competition between null pups and their littermates, sufficient time to suckle promotes viability. For immunocytochemical procedures, six mice of similar body weight and of each genotype at 6–8 weeks of age were deeply anesthetized with ketamine–xylazine (3:1; 100 mg/kg body weight:33 mg/kg body weight). Mice were perfused transcardially with saline containing 0.5% sodium nitrite followed by either (1) 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA; pH 7.4) for immunohistochemical processing of olfactory bulbs or (2) PLP fixative (2% paraformaldehyde, 0.75m lysine, and 0.2% sodium periodate in 50 mmphosphate buffer, pH 7.4) for processing of olfactory mucosae. Nasal cavities were post-fixed in PLP fixative overnight at 4°C. Olfactory bulbs from mice perfused with 4% PFA were post-fixed at room temperature for 2 hr and stored in 0.1 m phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 4°C until immunohistochemical processing. After post-fixation, brains were cryoprotected in 30% sucrose, and 40 μm horizontal sections were prepared on a sliding microtome. Epithelia were decalcified, embedded in paraffin, and 6–8 μm sections were obtained on a rotary microtome.

For measurement of TH activity and olfactory marker protein (OMP) levels, animals were killed by cervical dislocation and thoracotomy. Olfactory bulbs were dissected, frozen on dry ice, weighed, and stored at −80°C until processed. Mice were genotyped by PCR of tail tip DNA as previously described (Parent et al., 1998). All procedures were performed under protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees of Johns Hopkins, Cornell University, and the University of Maryland and conformed to National Institutes of Health guidelines.

Immunocytochemistry. Floating sections of olfactory bulb were processed by previously published methods (Baker et al., 1993). Briefly, sections were first blocked with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in 0.1 m PBS and incubated with the following antisera: rabbit anti-TH (1:25,000; from T. H. Joh, Cornell University Medical College, White Plains, NY), goat anti-OMP (1:35,000; prepared in our laboratory) (Keller and Margolis, 1975), rabbit anti-Pax6 (1:1500; against the 17 C-terminal amino acids of the mouse protein; prepared in our laboratory), and sheep anti-cFos (1: 7000; antipeptide; Genosys, The Woodlands, TX). For olfactory bulb staining, tissue was washed and incubated with the appropriate biotinylated secondary antibodies obtained from Vector Laboratories (Burlingame, CA). After incubation with the Vector Elite ABC kit, antigens were detected with 3,3′ diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB) as the chromogen. For double-labeling, sections previously stained for TH (1:25,000) using DAB were incubated overnight with a chicken antiserum specific for phosphodiesterase 2 (1:1500; PDE2, kindly provided by Dr. J. Beavo, University of Washington) followed by a biotinylated donkey anti-chicken secondary antiserum (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, West Grove, PA) and the ABC kit using Vector blue as the chromogen.

For the olfactory epithelial staining, the nasal cavities from animals perfused with PLP fixative were dehydrated in graded ethanols, cleared in toluene, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned coronally at 6–8 μm. Every 100th section was mounted onto Superfrost Plus slides (Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA) and incubated in a 60°C oven for 2 hr. Sections were deparaffinized, rehydrated in graded alcohols, and processed for immunohistochemistry for OMP or growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43). Briefly, sections were incubated in Tris phosphate buffer (TBS), pH 7.2, containing 0.1% gelatin and 0.2% Triton X-100, rinsed, and transferred to TBS with 3% normal rabbit serum to block nonspecific binding. Afterwards, sections were incubated in either goat anti-OMP (1: 5000) or mouse anti-GAP43 (1:100; Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN) overnight at room temperature. The next day, slides were rinsed, transferred to the appropriate biotinylated secondary antisera (Vector Laboratories; dilution: 1:200), rinsed, and incubated in avidin biotin complex (ABC; Vector Laboratories). Reaction products were visualized by treating sections with DAB (0.15 mg/ml) in the presence of H₂O₂. Slides were then rinsed, dehydrated through graded ethanols, cleared in xylenes, and coverslipped using DPX mounting medium (Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI).

Epithelial thickness. Sections adjacent to those processed for immunohistochemistry were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Coronal sections of the epithelia of wild-type and knock-out mice were traced at 640× magnification using a Nikon Optiphot microscope fitted with a camera lucida drawing tube. On both the left and right sides of the nasal cavity in three representative sections separated by 600 μm, measurements of epithelial thickness were made at two points along the nasal septum using a computer-controlled digitizing tablet and Sigma Scan computer software (Jandel Scientific, Corte Madera, CA). At each point, the thickness of the epithelium was measured from the luminal surface to the basal lamina. The two measurements along each side of the septum were not substantially different; therefore they were averaged. In addition, the mean thickness measurements from the left and right sides of the septum were averaged for each of the three sections measured per animal (n = 3 per genotype).

Olfactory bulb size. Using an eyepiece micrometer, the widths of the glomerular, external plexiform, and granule cell layers as well as the length of the olfactory bulb were measured in TH-stained sections from three wild-type and three knock-out mice. Five sections, spanning the dorsoventral aspects of the olfactory bulb, were assessed for each mouse (n = 3 per genotype).

Biochemistry. Individual bulbs were homogenized in 250 μl PBS (in mm: 137 NaCl, 2.7 KCl, 10 NaH₂PO₄, and 1.7 KH₂PO₄, pH 7.4). The substantia nigra and caudate nucleus were homogenized in 450 μl PBS. Aliquots of homogenates were taken for determination of TH activity by the method of Joh et al. (1973). OMP was measured by an ELISA assay as follows. Aliquots of each homogenate were adjusted to a final concentration of 0.1%Triton X-100 and 0.1% sodium azide, kept on ice for 10 min, and then centrifuged for 15 min at 16,000 ×g at 4°C. Protein content of the supernatants was determined by the Bradford method (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) using bovine serum albumin as a standard, and the samples were then stored at −80°C. For determination of OMP content, samples were thawed on ice, and aliquots were diluted 1:1000 in BBS (17 mmNaB₄O₇ · H₂O and 120 mm NaCl, pH 8.5). Assays were performed in freshly purchased, 96 well Immulon 2 HB, U-bottom ELISA plates (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA). To wells containing 200 μl of BBS, 10–20 μl aliquots of diluted extracts were added to contain ∼250 pg of OMP per well. A standard curve of OMP in the range of 50–500 pg was included on each plate. The standard OMP solution (10 pg/μl of OMP) was prepared daily. Samples and standards were all run in triplicate. Each plate also contained several controls, i.e., OMP with no antibody, OMP with only primary antibody, and OMP with only secondary antibody. After vibration mixing of sample and buffer, the plates were covered and incubated at 37°C for 2 hr. The plates were washed three times with TBS (in mm: 25 Tris, 137 NaCl, and 2.7 KCl adjusted to pH 7.4 with HCl).

Unreacted sites on the plates were blocked by incubation with 220 μl/well of 1% normal goat serum in dilution buffer (1% bovine serum albumin, 0.1% sodium azide, and 0.5% Tween-20 in TBS) at 37°C for 30 min. The blocking solution was removed and replaced with 200 μl of rabbit anti-OMP diluted 1:2000 in dilution buffer. The covered plates were incubated at room temperature overnight and then washed five times with TBS. Goat anti-rabbit-alkaline phosphatase (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) diluted 1:5000 in dilution buffer was added (200 μl/well) and incubated at 37°C for 2 hr followed by five washes with TBS. To quantify the phosphatase activity, 150 μl of freshly preparedp-nitrophenyl phosphate (Sigma 104) at 2 mg/ml in assay buffer (10% diethanolamine, 0.02% sodium azide, and 1 mm MgCl₂, pH 9.8) was added to each well. The increase in absorption at 405 nm was monitored as a function of time at room temperature, on a Dynatech (Chantilly, VA) MRX microplate reader. OMP content was determined by comparison to the standard curve on the same plate.

Statistical analysis. Data were analyzed by either unpaired or paired Student's t test with significance set atp < 0.05.

RESULTS

Morphology and innervation of the olfactory bulb in OCNC1-null and control mice

The most distinguishing characteristic of the OCNC1-null mice was the smaller size of the olfactory bulb (Fig.1, compare A, B). In null mice all laminae were narrower with the biggest differences observed in the external plexiform layer (Table 1), which was 55% of the thickness of that of wild-type mice. The thickness of the glomerular and granule cell layers also were smaller as was the length of the olfactory bulb. The protein content of bulbs from null mice was 53% of wild-type (mean mg/bulb ± SE; 0.67 ± 0.03 vs 1.26 ± 0.05, respectively; p < 0.05;n = 3–10).

Fig. 1.

OMP immunostaining in horizontal sections of olfactory bulbs from adult wild-type (A,wt) and OCNC1-null (B, ko) mice illustrated in dark-field photomicrographs. Note the smaller size of the olfactory bulbs in the null mice, but the apparently normal OMP staining of the olfactory nerve (on) and glomerular (gl) layers. Boxes indicate regions shown at higher magnification in Figure 2. Scale bar, 200 μm.

Table 1.

Laminar width and bulb length in wild-type and null OCNC-1 mice

Genotype	Glomerular layer	External plexiform layer	Granule cell layer	Bulb length
Wild type (wt)1-a	185.2  ± 9.92	227.9  ± 7.69	892  ± 47	3,266  ± 36
Null (n)	134.8  ± 9.90*	125.2  ± 11.70*	690  ± 31*	2,340  ± 272*
n/wt	0.73	0.55	0.77	0.72

^F1-aData are presented as mean micrometers ± SE; n = 3.

*Indicates significant differences between wild-type and null mice,p < 0.05.

To assess afferent innervation, olfactory bulbs were stained for OMP. Nerve fiber and glomerular staining were normal both in distribution and intensity in the null mice (Fig. 1). However, aberrant fiber staining, reminiscent of that found during normal development (Monti Graziadei et al., 1980; Baker and Farbman, 1993; Gong and Shipley, 1995), was observed in the external plexiform layer (Fig.2). The fibers were more disorganized than in developing control mice. Lower levels of OMP, measured by ELISA (Mean percentage decrease ± SE, 64 ± 3.0%), paralleled the smaller size of the olfactory bulb in the OCNC-1-null mice. These results suggested that fewer olfactory receptor cells are innervating the olfactory bulb (see below).

Fig. 2.

Bright-field (A,C) and dark-field (B,D) photomicrographs illustrating the presence of ectopic OMP-immunolabeled fibers in OCNC1-null (C, D;ko) and not in wild-type (A,B, wt) mouse olfactory bulbs. Fibers (arrows) are scattered throughout the external plexiform layer (epl) of the null mice. Scale bar, 40 μm.

Tyrosine hydroxylase staining and activity in the olfactory bulb

TH immunostaining was dramatically less in the majority of glomeruli in the null olfactory bulb (Fig.3) and was similar to that previously observed in odor-deprived mice (Baker et al., 1993). In most regions the reduction was uniform with only scattered cells and few intraglomerular fibers retaining TH immunoreactivity. In contrast, a group of glomeruli in the posterior aspects of the olfactory bulb, variously called either necklace or atypical glomeruli and including the modified glomerular complex, retained strong TH staining in both cells and fibers (Fig. 4).

Fig. 3.

Bright-field photomicrographs of TH immunostaining in wild-type (A, wt) and OCNC1-null (B, ko) mice. In wild-type mice, TH staining occurs in periglomerular cells surrounding all glomeruli and in fibers within the glomeruli. In the null mice, the majority of glomeruli have only a few TH-labeled neurons and display a dramatic reduction in fiber staining within the glomeruli. However, normal TH staining is found in a group of glomeruli (arrows) on posterior aspects of the olfactory bulb. Double arrowsindicate the decrease in width of the external plexiform layer in OCNC1-null mice. ep, External plexiform layer;gl, glomerular layer; gr, granule cell layer; m, mitral cell layer; on, olfactory nerve layer. Boxes indicate regions shown at higher magnification in Figure 4. Scale bar, 200 μm.

Fig. 4.

Bright-field (A,C) and dark-field (B,D) photomicrographs of TH immunostaining of olfactory bulb in wild-type (A,B; wt) and OCNC1-null (C,D; ko) mice. In wild-type mice, strong staining is observed in periglomerular cells and glomerular processes of all glomeruli. In the null mice, only scattered periglomerular cells (small arrows) contain TH in most glomeruli and, as illustrated in dark-field (D), labeled processes are absent. In contrast, TH staining is normal in both cells and processes in the atypical or necklace glomeruli (large arrow). Scale bar, 40 μm.

In confirmation of the immunocytochemical findings, TH activity in bulbs of OCNC1-null mice was 10% of wild-type levels (Fig.5A). The effect was specific to the olfactory bulbs since TH activity did not differ between wild-type and null mice in either the substantia nigra or the caudate nucleus, the former containing dopaminergic cell bodies that terminate in the latter brain region (Fig.5B,C).

Fig. 5.

TH activity in the olfactory bulb (OB), substantia nigra (SN), and caudate nucleus (CN) of wild-type (wt) and OCNC1-null (ko) mice. In the null mice, TH activity is normal in SN and CN, but lower only in the olfactory bulb. Student's unpaired t test; *p < 0.01; n = 3–10.

cFos and PAX6 immunoreactivity in the olfactory bulb

Previous studies demonstrated that expression of the immediate early gene cfos and its product, cFos, were reduced in parallel with TH expression (Guthrie and Gall, 1995; Jin et al., 1996). In the current study, cFos immunostaining was much less intense in null mice (Fig.6B) compared to wild-type mice (Fig. 6A), except in the region of the necklace glomeruli where staining was similar to that seen in controls. PAX6 immunoreactivity was of normal intensity in both the granule cell and glomerular layers in null mice (Fig. 6C,D), suggesting that migration from the subependymal zone through the rostral migratory stream occurred in these mice (Dellovade et al., 1997).

Fig. 6.

Bright-field photomicrographs illustrating cFos (A,B) and Pax6 (C, D) immunostaining in the olfactory bulbs of wild-type (A, C; wt) and OCNC1-null (B,D; ko) mice. In null mice, cFos is absent in most glomeruli but staining is present in the region of the necklace glomeruli (arrow, inset). Pax6 immunostaining is present in the olfactory bulbs of both wt and ko mice. Scale bar: A–D, 120 μm;inset, 60 μm.

OMP and GAP43 staining in the olfactory epithelium

Although the olfactory epithelium appeared structurally normal, the OE was thinner in OCNC1-null mice (Fig.7). In addition, the number of OMP-labeled cells, assessed by the width of the stained area (Fig.8), also was smaller. There also appeared to be fewer GAP43 immunostained immature neurons (Fig.9). Taken together, these observations indicate that there are alterations in the genesis and maturation of olfactory neurons in the OE of the OCNC1-null mice, leading to a reduction in maturation and development of the olfactory bulb.

Fig. 7.

OMP immunostaining in the olfactory epithelium of wild-type (A, C; wt) and OCNC1-null (B,D; ko) mice. Low-power micrographs (A,B) illustrate that the receptor epithelium (oe) is thinner (C,D,compare length of double arrows) in all regions of the nasal cavity (nc). The boxed areas inA and B are shown at higher magnification in C and D. lp, Lamina propria; s, nasal septum. Scale bar: A,B, 250 μm; C, D, 30 μm.

Fig. 8.

Bar graph illustrating that the septal receptor epithelium is 15% thinner in OCNC1-null mice (ko) as compared to wild-type mice (wt). n = 3 per group. *p < 0.05 by paired Student'st test.

Fig. 9.

GAP43 immunostaining in the olfactory epithelium of wild-type (A, wt) and OCNC1-null (B, ko) mice. Fewer neurons (small arrows) are stained with GAP43, indicating that the number of both mature and immature neurons is lower in the null mice. The double arrows indicate the difference in the thickness of the olfactory epithelium (oe). lp, Lamina propria; nc, nasal cavity; s, septum. Scale bar, 30 μm.

Double immunolabeling with TH and PDE in olfactory bulb

To demonstrate that the TH-immunostained cells were necklace glomeruli, double label experiments were performed with a PDE antiserum that recognizes PDE2, the PDE subtype found only in atypical glomeruli (Juilfs et al., 1997). With the exception of scattered fibers in other regions of the olfactory bulb, PDE immunoreactivity in the null mice was limited to fibers innervating glomeruli heavily stained with TH (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10.

Low-power (A) and high-power (B) photomicrographs illustrating that only the necklace glomeruli (ng) that display intense TH immunoreactivity are innervated by PDE fibers. Most glomeruli (g) show no tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (brown) and are not innervated by PDE2-immunoreactive fibers (purple). The PDE2 fibers (A, arrow) course along the edge of the olfactory nerve layer (on) and innervate only the necklace glomeruli (B, arrow). Scale bar: A, 40 μm;B, 20 μm.

DISCUSSION

These studies demonstrate that expression of the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 1 subunit (OCNC1) is required for normal development of the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb. The ability of these null mice to survive to adulthood suggested that either the olfactory system is not necessary for suckling behavior or that some olfactory neurons express other transduction pathways that process sufficient odor information to allow for nipple attachment (Juilfs et al., 1997; but see Gold, 1999).

Loss of OCNC1 significantly altered several aspects of olfactory system development. Most apparent was the smaller size of the olfactory bulb that was evident on visual inspection and confirmed by total protein measurements. All laminae were reduced in width, suggesting loss of processes, especially in the external plexiform layer, and neurons in the granule and periglomerular layers. Whether the number of mitral cells is fewer remains to be assessed. The smaller olfactory bulb observed in the OCNC1-null mice is similar to that seen after both neonatal and adult odor deprivation (Frazier and Brunjes, 1988; Baker, 1990; Baker et al., 1993), suggesting that similar activity-dependent mechanisms may regulate neuronal maturation and survival in the olfactory bulb of the OCNC1-null and of odor-deprived mice.

A reduction in bulb size could result from a change in rate or number of cells destined to be granule and periglomerular cells migrating to the olfactory bulb from the subventricular zone (SVZ) through the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Because OCNC1 is also expressed in the CNS, including striatum (Bradley et al., 1997; Parent et al., 1998), and bulb size is reduced in other null phenotypes of the CNS, including nCAM-, dlx- and PAX6-deficient mice (Treloar et al., 1997; Bulfone et al., 1998; Dellovade et al., 1998), the reduced size could result from disruption of migration as a consequence of either odor-induced activity or altered expression of the channel in the forebrain. However, migration of periglomerular and granule cells did occur in the OCNC1-null mice, as evidenced by the presence of PAX6 labeling in both the RMS (data not shown) and olfactory bulb. PAX6 was previously shown to be a marker for cells in the SVZ that populate the olfactory bulb including TH-expressing periglomerular cells (Dellovade et al., 1997). Further studies will be required to determine if granule cell migration is altered in OCNC1-null mice and if so by what mechanism.

Abnormal maturation of receptor cell innervation also occurred in the null mice. OMP, which is found in high concentrations in olfactory receptor cells (Margolis, 1972), was used to demonstrate the afferent innervation to the olfactory bulb. OMP-immunoreactive fibers occurred not only in their characteristic locations in the nerve fiber and glomerular layers but also randomly distributed in the external plexiform layer (EPL). Previously, aberrant olfactory receptor afferent fibers were described during development but generally exhibited more organization with distinct bundles in the EPL and a laminar profile in the mitral cell layer (Monti Graziadei et al., 1980; Baker and Farbman, 1993; Gong and Shipley, 1995). The fact that in animals odor-deprived as neonates aberrant fibers are not observed suggests that mechanisms acting prenatally are important to axon guidance and targeting in the null mice. OMP levels were reduced by 64% in the olfactory bulbs of the null mice, which was consistent with the smaller size of the bulbs. The receptor epithelium in the null mice was ∼15% thinner compared to controls reflecting the decreased level of OMP immunoreactivity in the olfactory bulb. This reduction confirms the previously observed decrease in OMP message (Parent et al., 1998). In addition to the decline in the number of mature receptor cells stained with OMP, there appeared to be fewer immature neurons as reflected by GAP43 immunostaining, suggesting altered generation and maturation of receptor cells in OCNC1-null mice (Verhaagen et al., 1989, 1990).

Transduction of odorant information in OCNC1-null mice may be restricted to a specific subset of receptor cells in the posterior recesses of the olfactory epithelium that innervate glomeruli localized to posterior aspects of the olfactory bulb (Juilfs et al., 1997). These atypical, modified, or necklace glomeruli were previously distinguished by several criteria. Studies using 2-deoxyglucose as an indicator of activity suggested that they were involved in suckling behavior (Teicher et al., 1980; Greer et al., 1982). The glomeruli also were characterized on the basis of high expression of acetyl cholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase (Zheng et al., 1987; Le Jeune and Jourdan, 1991), placental antigen X-P2 (Shinoda et al., 1990), and immunoreactivities to monoclonal antibodies 2C6 and 213 (Ring et al., 1997). They also receive innervation from receptor cells that express a specific guanylyl cyclase (GC-D) and a phosphodiesterase, PDE2 (Juilfs et al., 1997). In contrast, the vast majority of receptor neurons contain a calcium–calmodulin-dependent PDE (PDE1C2) and a high-affinity cAMP-specific PDE (PDE4A) (Juilfs et al., 1997).

The current studies support the hypothesis that these unique glomeruli are innervated by a subset of receptor cells that may contain other channels. Previous studies demonstrated that expression of the catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme TH, expressed in dopamine neurons in the olfactory bulb, is reduced dramatically by odor deprivation (Baker et al., 1983, 1984, 1993; Kosaka et al., 1987; Guthrie et al., 1990;Baker, 1990). Adult OCNC1-null mice had fewer TH-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in most glomeruli, consistent with the inability of receptor cells that lack OCNC1 to respond to odors. However, the necklace glomeruli, identified by their PDE2 innervation, continued to express TH, suggesting that odor-induced stimulation still occurred in the receptor cells projecting to these regions of the olfactory bulb. In view of the expression of OCNC1 in other brain regions, including striatum (Bradley et al., 1997; Parent et al., 1998), the lower levels of TH expression in null mice could be secondary to deficiency of the channel in the CNS and not the receptor epithelium. However, TH activity levels were normal in the substantia nigra and caudate nucleus, the cell body, and target regions of the major midbrain dopaminergic pathway, indicating that the TH loss in the olfactory bulbs of the null mice was likely mediated by odor deprivation. The distribution of cFos expression further supports a relationship between receptor cell activity and the loss of TH immunoreactivity. As previously found in odor deprivation (Jin et al., 1996), parallel cFos and TH expression could be demonstrated, with most glomeruli containing little or no cFos immunoreactivity, whereas the atypical glomeruli express normal levels of cFos labeling.

In summary, these studies demonstrate that OCNC1 is required for normal development of the olfactory bulb, including olfactory bulb size, innervation, and dopamine phenotype. Similarly, the olfactory epithelium does not develop its normal complement of either mature or immature neurons. Most intriguing is the finding that one population of bulbar target neurons, those associated with the atypical or necklace glomeruli, does retain normal expression of the dopamine phenotype, as evidenced by TH staining. The periglomerular neurons in these glomeruli receive their innervation from receptor cells that express a phosphodiesterase and a guanyl cyclase not found in the majority of receptor cells. Therefore, our observations argue that the PDE/GC-D-expressing receptor cells transduce odor information by a mechanism that is not dependent on OCNC1.