Uromodulin Like Protein 1 (UMODL1)

The olfactory system provides a unique model for developmental neurobiology. Olfactorin is a secreted modular protein containing several domains typically present in extracellular matrix proteins. During embryonic development expression of the Umodl1 gene is detectable only in the olfactory epithelium and vomeronasal organ starting at embryonic day 16.5. At this stage, Umodl1 expression within the olfactory epithelium is punctate, and is restricted to only some of the sensory neurons. At birth and postnatally, expression in these organs continues and involves more neurons. Kallmann syndrome is a genetic disease in which olfactory axons fail to connect to target neurons in the bulb.Olfactorin may play a role in correct olfactory axon navigation to the brain.