Abstract
We explored how the odor map in the Drosophila antennal lobe is represented in higher olfactory centers, the mushroom body and lateral horn. Systematic single-cell tracing of projection neurons (PNs) that send dendrites to specific glomeruli in the antennal lobe revealed their stereotypical axon branching patterns and terminal fields in the lateral horn. PNs with similar axon terminal fields tend to receive input from neighboring glomeruli. The glomerular classes of individual PNs could be accurately predicted based solely on their axon projection patterns. The sum of these patterns defines an "axon map" in higher olfactory centers reflecting which olfactory receptors provide input. This map is characterized by spatial convergence and divergence of PN axons, allowing integration of olfactory information.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Algorithms
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Animals
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Body Patterning / physiology*
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Brain / cytology
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Brain / growth & development*
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Brain / metabolism
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Brain Mapping
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Cell Differentiation / physiology*
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Cell Size / physiology
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Clone Cells / cytology
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Clone Cells / metabolism
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Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
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Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development*
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Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
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Mushroom Bodies / cytology
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Mushroom Bodies / growth & development*
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Mushroom Bodies / metabolism
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Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
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Olfactory Pathways / cytology
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Olfactory Pathways / growth & development*
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Olfactory Pathways / metabolism
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Olfactory Receptor Neurons / cytology
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Olfactory Receptor Neurons / growth & development*
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Olfactory Receptor Neurons / metabolism
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Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism
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Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure*
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Smell / physiology