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Since joining the “Death Bay” in the
Roskams lab last fall, I have been following up on Cath’s
examination of the role of effector caspases in ORN cell death with
an examination of caspase 8 and AIF (Apoptosis Inducing Factor)
in the olfactory epithelium. While caspase 8 activation occurs as
part of the wave of mature ORN cell death immediately following
bulbectomy, nuclear translocation of AIF typical of apoptotic cells
is not observed until later, during regeneration of the ORN population
from progenitors in the tissue, and may be characteristic of less
differentiated cells in this model. Further experiments to distinguish
the effector pathways responsible for the death of mature ORNs vs.
progenitors of the OE should provide the understanding necessary
to direct future investigation into distinct signaling paths which
control the survival of neuronal progenitors in this tissue. I will
also be exploring how death of mature ORNs influences replacement
from OE progenitors, using caspase 3 and 9 knockout mice, which
have decreased developmental and post-lesion apoptosis. |
Postdoctoral
Fellow