Orco-dependent survival of odorant receptor neurons in ants.

Abstract excerpt

Olfaction is essential for complex social behavior in insects. To discriminate complex social cues, ants evolved an expanded number of odorant receptor (Or) genes. Mutations in the obligate odorant co-receptor gene orco lead to the loss of ~80% of the antennal lobe glomeruli in the jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator. However, the cellular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate massive apoptosis of odorant...

Topics

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• Receptors, Odorant
• Ants
• Apoptosis
• Cell Survival
• Gene Expression Profiling