Cited by 254Neurobiology and Insect Physiology ResearchOlfactory and Sensory Function StudiesIon Channels and Receptors

Non-synaptic inhibition between grouped neurons in an olfactory circuit

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Su, Chih-Ying, Menuz, Karen, Reisert, Johannes, Carlson, John R.·2012·Nature

Abstract

Diverse sensory organs, including mammalian taste buds and insect chemosensory sensilla, show a marked compartmentalization of receptor cells; however, the functional impact of this organization remains unclear. Here we show that compartmentalized Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) communicate with each other directly. The sustained response of one ORN is inhibited by the transient activation of a neighbouring ORN. Mechanistically, such lateral inhibition does not depend on synapses and is probably mediated by ephaptic coupling. Moreover, lateral inhibition in the periphery can modulate olfactory behaviour. Together, the results show that integration of olfactory information can occur via lateral interactions between ORNs. Inhibition of a sustained response by a transient response may provide a means of encoding salience. Finally, a CO(2)-sensitive ORN in the malaria mosquito Anopheles can also be inhibited by excitation of an adjacent ORN, suggesting a broad occurrence of lateral inhibition in insects and possible applications in insect control.

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  • EM field communication between neurons is an ancient mode of neuronal communication, found in vertebrates, insects, arthropods, and molluscs.

    “The first point is that it is clearly a very ancient mode of neuronal communication as it is found not only in vertebrates but also in insects [75], arthropods [76] and molluscs [77].”

    From The electromagnetic will (2021) · cites this paper as [75]

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Authors
Su, C.-Y., Menuz, K., Reisert, J., & Carlson, J. R.
Affiliations
  • Yale University (US)
  • Monell Chemical Senses Center (US)
Corresponding author
Carlson, John R.
Venue
Nature
Published
2012-11-21
Volume
492
Issue
7427
Pages
66-71
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2059225708
Cited by
254
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 1
FWCI
8.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (F32DC011242, DC009613, R01DC009613, R01DC004729, R01DC011697)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Ion Channels and Receptors
Keywords
lateral inhibition, olfactory sensory neurons, ephaptic coupling, Drosophila olfaction, olfactory behavior, insect control
MeSH terms
Animals, Anopheles, Carbon Dioxide, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drosophila melanogaster, Female, Neural Inhibition, Synaptic Transmission, Olfactory Pathways, Smell, Synapses, Olfactory Receptor Neurons, Sensilla

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