Sustaining Olfaction in Osmotically/Ionically Challenging Conditions

在渗透/离子挑战条件下维持嗅觉

• 批准号: 9604870
• 负责人: Richard Gleeson
• 金额: $ 24.8万
• 依托单位: University of Florida
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing grant
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-02-15 至 2001-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9604870&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Sustaining; Olfaction; Osmotically; Ionically; Challenging

Chemosensory receptor cells detect molecules and ions in the environment as a signal different from the background. There are two fundamental problems olfactory systems face. First, when the environment changes rapidly, how does the chemosensory system avoid breakdown in its detecting capability? Second, how do olfactory membranes that detect these chemicals function over time when the membranes themselves are constantly renewed? This project uses the antennae of an intertidal crab as a novel model system to investigate both of these important questions, using a combination of physiological and microscopic techniques. Experiments are designed to determine how ion levels are regulated in the fluid bathing the chemosensory membranes to maintain suitable conditions for olfactory function. Morphological studies will define how these membranes react by growth or regeneration to the challenge of exposure to very different salinities. The environmental change can range between seawater and freshwater in the tidal estuaries in which these crabs live, and this study helps to understand how the chemosensory system can adapt to those rapid changes. Results will be important beyond chemosensory neuroscience alone, for understanding the maintenance of sensory membranes in general, for cell biology by understanding membrane turnover and regeneration, and for ecology by understanding some of the biological mechanisms useful for animals to adapt to rapid environmental change.

化学感受器细胞检测环境中的分子和离子， 不同于背景的信号。 嗅觉系统面临两个基本问题。 首先，当环境迅速变化时，化学感受系统如何避免其检测能力的崩溃？ 第二，当嗅觉膜本身不断更新时，随着时间的推移，嗅觉膜是如何检测这些化学物质的？本计画以潮间带蟹的触角为模型，结合生理学与显微镜技术，探讨这两个重要的问题。 实验的目的是确定离子水平是如何调节的流体洗澡的化学感受膜，以保持适当的条件嗅觉功能。 形态学研究将确定这些膜如何通过生长或再生来应对暴露于非常不同的盐度的挑战。 环境变化可以在这些螃蟹生活的潮汐河口的海水和淡水之间变化，这项研究有助于了解化学感受系统如何适应这些快速变化。 结果将是重要的超越化学感觉神经科学，了解一般的感觉膜的维护，通过了解膜的周转和再生的细胞生物学，并通过了解一些生物学机制，动物适应快速的环境变化的生态学。