Elsevier

Neuroscience Research

Volume 65, Issue 1, September 2009, Pages 116-121
Neuroscience Research

Rapid Communication
Subtype-specific reduction of olfactory bulb interneurons in Pax6 heterozygous mutant mice

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2009.05.011Get rights and content

Abstract

Interneurons in the olfactory bulb (OB) play essential roles in the processing of olfactory information. They are classified into several subpopulations by the expression of different neurochemical markers. Here we focused on a transcription factor Pax6, and examined its expression and function in distinct subtypes of OB interneurons. We identified Pax6 expression in specific subtypes of interneurons in the external plexiform layer (EPL). The number of these interneuron subtypes was dramatically decreased in Pax6 heterozygous mutant mice. These results indicate that Pax6 is required for differentiation and/or maintenance of EPL interneurons in the adult mouse OB.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Sarah Maxwell for critical reading of the manuscript, and Ms Ayumi Ogasawara, Sayaka Makino and Makiko Hoshino for technical assistance and animal cares. This work was supported by Tohoku Neuroscience Global COE Program “Basic and Translational Research Center for Global Brain Science” from MEXT of Japan (to N.O.), and Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology from Japan Science and Technology Agency (to N.O.).

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