Olfactory Cilia: Linking Sensory Cilia Function and Human Disease

Authors: Jenkins, Paul M.; McEwen, Dyke P.; Martens, Jeffrey R.

Source: Chemical Senses, Volume 34, Number 5, 13 June 2009 , pp. 451-464(14)

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Abstract:

The olfactory system gives us an awareness of our immediate environment by allowing us to detect airborne stimuli. The components necessary for detection of these odorants are compartmentalized in the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons. Cilia are microtubule-based organelles, which can be found projecting from the surface of almost any mammalian cell, and are critical for proper olfactory function. Mislocalization of ciliary proteins and/or the loss of cilia cause impaired olfactory function, which is now recognized as a clinical manifestation of a broad class of human diseases, termed ciliopathies. Future work investigating the mechanisms of olfactory cilia function will provide us important new information regarding the pathogenesis of human sensory perception diseases.

Keywords: anosmia; cilia; ciliopathies; olfactory; trafficking

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjp020

Publication date: 2009-06-13

More about this publication?

Chemical Senses publishes original research and review papers on all aspects of chemoreception in both humans and animals. An important part of the journal's coverage is devoted to techniques and the development and application of new methods for investigating chemoreception and chemosensory structures.