How Neurons Detect and Respond to Pheromones

We are using a molecular approach to identify how neurons function to generate complex mammalian behavior.

A male mouse listens and sniffs as an animal enters his territory. His sensory systems reveal that it is another mouse, but what is the appropriate behavioral response? He should be defensive only if the intruder is male. Over the past year, we have determined that pheromone cues released from the other mouse act through the vomeronasal organ (VNO) to ensure that appropriate social interactions, including territorial aggression and mating behaviors, are executed without error. Interestingly, the odd confluence of phenotypes we have observed in pheromone response mutants is remarkably similar to human Kluver-Bucy syndrome. This suggests that the central nervous system encodes behavioral information similarly in both humans and mice.

How does the brain recognize environmental stimuli and initiate an appropriate response? What molecules generate these impulses? Which neuronal circuits activate social behavior? We are using mouse molecular genetic techniques, histological, electrophysiological, and behavioral analysis to address these questions and are uncovering surprising information about neuronal coding.