992-A Spatial Code Governs Sensory Mapping

This article reveals that the mammalian nose utilizes a sophisticated spatial map to organize the sense of smell, challenging previous theories of random receptor distribution. Research demonstrates that approximately 1,100 olfactory receptors are expressed at specific, predictable locations along the dorsoventral axis of the nasal tissue. This precise organization is governed by a transcriptional code involving roughly 250 genes and is guided by a gradient of retinoic acid signaling. This biological program ensures that the arrangement of sensory neurons in the nose directly aligns with targets in the brain’s olfactory bulb. Ultimately, the study shows that spatial identity is established in precursor cells before a specific receptor is even chosen. References: • Brann D H, Tsukahara T, Tau C, et al. A spatial code governs olfactory receptor choice and aligns sensory maps in the nose and brain[J]. Cell, 2026.