Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
Eric A Bushong
National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, Center for Research in Biological Systems, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
Kalyani Cauwenberghs
Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
Renny Ng
Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
Matthew Madany
National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, Center for Research in Biological Systems, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
Mark H Ellisman
National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, Center for Research in Biological Systems, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
The biophysical properties of sensory neurons are influenced by their morphometric and morphological features, whose precise measurements require high-quality volume electron microscopy (EM). However, systematic surveys of nanoscale characteristics for identified neurons are scarce. Here, we characterize the morphology of Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) across the majority of genetically identified sensory hairs. By analyzing serial block-face electron microscopy images of cryofixed antennal tissues, we compile an extensive morphometric data set based on 122 reconstructed 3D models for 33 of the 40 identified antennal ORN types. Additionally, we observe multiple novel features—including extracellular vacuoles within sensillum lumen, intricate dendritic branching, mitochondria enrichment in select ORNs, novel sensillum types, and empty sensilla containing no neurons—which raise new questions pertinent to cell biology and sensory neurobiology. Our systematic survey is critical for future investigations into how the size and shape of sensory neurons influence their responses, sensitivity, and circuit function.
