Olfactory epithelium destruction by ZnSO4 modified sulfhydryl oxidase expression in mice.

Experimental destruction of olfactory neurons stimulates proliferation and differentiation of local neural precursors and is used as a model to study in vivo mechanisms for degeneration and regeneration of the nervous system. Quiescin-sulfhydryl oxidases (QSOX) have a potential role in the control of the cell cycle or growth regulation and have recently been described in the central nervous system. In mice, we show an expression of QSOX in olfactory mucosa. Northern- and western-blot analysis show that the destruction of olfactory epithelium is associated with a reversible reduction in QSOX expression. Interestingly, QSOX is not localized in olfactory neurons (ON) but in cells of the lamina propria, suggesting that olfactory epithelium destruction may act as a signal of down-regulation of QSOX expression.