Molecular and neuronal homology between the olfactory systems of zebrafish and mouse

摘要: Studies of the two major olfactory organs rodents, mucosa (OM) and vomeronasal organ (VNO), unraveled molecular basis smell in vertebrates. However, some vertebrates lack a VNO. Here we generated analyzed transcriptome zebrafish compared it to transcriptomes mouse investigate evolutionary relationship between single dual systems. Our analyses revealed high degree conservation, with orthologs cell-specific markers all but one their chemosensory receptor classes expressed organ. Zebrafish genes are across large dynamic range RNA abundance correlates positively number neurons expressing that RNA. Thus estimate relative proportions neuronal sub-types different receptors. Receptor repertoire size drives absolute neurons, find similar underlying patterns both species. Finally, identified novel marker characterize rare populations zebrafish. In sum, cellular mechanisms underpinning olfaction teleosts mammals despite 430 million years divergence.