Loss of Kirrel family members alters glomerular structure and synapse numbers in the accessory olfactory bulb.

The accessory olfactory system controls social and sexual behaviours in mice, both of which are critical for their survival. Vomeronasal sensory neuron (VSN) axons form synapses with mitral cell dendrites in glomeruli of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Axons of VSNs expressing the same vomeronasal receptor (VR) converge into multiple glomeruli within spatially conserved regions of the AOB.

Kirrel3 is required for the coalescence of vomeronasal sensory neuron axons into glomeruli and for male-male aggression.

The accessory olfactory system controls social and sexual interactions in mice that are crucial for survival. Vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) form synapses with dendrites of second order neurons in glomeruli of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Axons of VSNs expressing the same vomeronasal receptor coalesce into multiple glomeruli within spatially conserved regions of the AOB.

The pattern of glomerular map formation defines responsiveness to aversive odorants in mice.

In many species, the detection and recognition of odors is critical to regulate behaviors that are essential for survival, such as foraging for food and avoidance of predators. The formation of complex stereotypic connections between olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and second-order neurons in the olfactory bulb (OB) is believed to be important for accurate odorant information processing. In mice, ablation of OSNs that innervate the dorsal region of the OB leads to a loss of avoidance behavior in response to aversive and predator odorants (Kobayakawa et al.

Robo-2 controls the segregation of a portion of basal vomeronasal sensory neuron axons to the posterior region of the accessory olfactory bulb.

The ability of sensory systems to detect and process information from the environment relies on the elaboration of precise connections between sensory neurons in the periphery and second order neurons in the CNS. In mice, the accessory olfactory system is thought to regulate a wide variety of social and sexual behaviors. The expression of the Slit receptors Robo-1 and Robo-2 in vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) suggests they may direct the stereotypic targeting of their axons to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB).

Axon guidance events in the wiring of the mammalian olfactory system.

The detection of odorant signals from the environment and the generation of appropriate behavioral outputs in response to these signals rely on the olfactory system. Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) of the olfactory epithelium are located in the nasal cavity and project axons that synapse onto dendrites of second-order neurons in the olfactory bulb (OB) that in turn relay the information gathered to higher order regions of the brain. The connections formed are remarkably accurate such that axons of OSNs expressing the same olfactory receptor innervate specific glomeruli within the complex three-dimensional structure that represents the OB.