Identification of olfactory receptor mRNA sequences from the rat olfactorybulb glomerular layer

In situ hybridization has demonstrated mRNA far olfactory receptors (OR) in the axon terminals of olfactory receptor neurons. Neurons that express the same OR appear to send their axons to two stereotyped glomeruli in the olf actory bulb (OB). Based on these observations, we tested the feasibility of using RT-PCR to isolate and sequence OR mRNA from small samples of the rat OB glomerular layer. Biomagnetic mRNA isolation followed by RT-PCR yielded partial sequences for 21 novel members of the OR family. The results sugge st that the topography of OR mRNA can be mapped across the OB, to study syn aptic specificity and odor representation in the olfactory system. NeuroRep ort 9: 3745-3748 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.