Neural map formation in the mouse olfactory system

Abstract

Odor signals received by odorant receptors (ORs) in the olfactory epithelium are represented as an odor map of activated glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. In the mouse olfactory system, it appears that much of axon pathfinding and sorting occurs autonomously by olfactory neuron axons. Here, we review the recent progress on the study of olfactory map formation in rodents. We will discuss how neuronal identity is represented at axon termini and how the OR-instructed axonal projection is regulated.