Genetic Mapping of Functional Vomeronasal Circuits

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proper functioning of the sensory and endocrine systems is essential for the health and well being of human beings. Sensory experiences often have direct influence on endocrine systems and many experience- induced endocrine responses are innate. However, the neural circuitry that controls these processes is not well understood. In the proposed project, we will study the mouse vomeronasal circuitry as a model system to elucidate the neural mechanism of sensory information processing and mechanism of sensory control of endocrine function. In vertebrates, innate behaviors such as mating rituals and territorial aggression are elicited by the detection of pheromone cues through the vomeronasal organ. These behaviors are robust and stereotyped, but their expression critically depends on the proper response to pheromones. The vomeronasal circuit connects directly to the endocrine systems and influences their output. These circuits are largely genetically determined and there is an intrinsic link between sensory input and the behavior and endocrine responses, making it an attractive and tractable circuitry to understand sensory processing and sensory control of endocrine changes. The objective of this application is to identify the sex pheromones, their receptors and trace the neural circuitry processing the information. We hypothesize that male and female pheromones elicit responses from distinct populations of cells in the VNO. This information is represented in the brain by the distinct spatial patterns of the sensory neuron projection and allows sex discrimination and differential endocrine changes in response. In Aim 1, we will use transgenic animals expressing calcium indicators in the sensory neurons to identify cells that respond to specific pheromones in urine. Combining fluorescent imaging, mouse genetics and molecular biology, we will identify the pheromone receptor gene expressed by these cells. We will screen urine fractions to chemically identify the pheromones. In Aim 2, we will trace the information flow by genetically labeling the neurons expressing the sex pheromone receptors. In Aim 3, we will combine genetic experiments with behavioral assays to analyze pheromone control of endocrine responses. Animals have evolved specialized neural circuitry that links sensory input to endocrine responses. The complexity of sensory experiences makes it difficult to study sensory control of endocrine response in humans. The vomeronasal system is highly evolved in most vertebrate species and is specialized in controlling endocrine system and emotional states. Similar circuits exist in humans but may have been compacted during primate evolution to consist of mostly the main olfactory, and to include other sensory modalities. Insight gained from this study will help to elucidate control mechanism of endocrine systems and motivational states, as well as the processing of social communication.