Amplification of Olfactory Transduction Currents Implements Sparse Stimulus Encoding

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2008-24.2025
• Publication Date: 2025-03-17T17:50:24Z
• Authors: Kai Clane Belonio; Eyerusalem S. Haile; Zach Fyke; Lindsay Vivona; Vaibhav R. Konanur; Theja Tulabandhula; Joseph D. Zak
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Calcium imaging; Transduction (biophysics); Olfactory memory

Sensory systems must perform the dual and opposing tasks of being sensitive to weak stimuli while also maintaining information content in dense variable sensory landscapes. This occurs olfactory system, where OSNs are highly low concentrations odors maintain discriminability complex odor environments. How neurons (OSNs) both sensitivity sparsity is poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether calcium-activated chloride channel, TMEM16B, may support these roles male female mice. We used multiphoton microscopy image stimulus-response density epithelium. In TMEM16B knockout mice, found that representations were denser, magnitude OSN responses was increased. Behaviorally, changes associated with an increased aversion odorant trimethylamine, which switches perceptual valence as its concentration increases, a decreased efficiency olfactory-guided navigation. Our results indicate channel sparsens peripheral system contributes efficient integrative behaviors. Significance Statement build internal neural external environment. molecules give rise perception detected by within nose. Upon binding neurons, biochemical signaling cascade transduces signals other areas brain can then read out. A key component this TMEM16B. despite role amplifying transduction currents paradoxically constrains their output, thereby limiting transfer brain. findings plays important how animals detect perceive odors.