A major research interest in our laboratory is the exploration of the mammalian olfactory pathway. In the past, we have studied transduction pathways for odorants in the main olfactory system and for pheromones in the vomeronasal organ. Recently, we have turned our attention to the functions of axonal G-proteins. Transmembrane signaling events at the dendrites and axons of olfactory receptor neurons mediate distinct functions. Whereas odorant recognition and chemosensory transduction occur at the dendritic membranes of olfactory neurons, signal propagation, axon sorting and target innervation are functions of their axons. The roles of G proteins in transmembrane signaling at the dendrites have been studied extensively, but axonal G proteins have not been investigated in detail. In collaboration with Dr. John Vandenbergh we use behavioral, immunohistochemical and genetic approaches to investigate the functions of axonal G-proteins.