Temperature Sensing by an Olfactory Neuron in a Circuit Controlling Behavior of C. elegans

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1148922
• Publication Date: 2008-04-11T01:44:56Z
• Authors: Atsushi Kuhara; Masatoshi Okumura; Tsubasa Kimata; Yoshinori Tanizawa; Ryo Takano; Koutarou D. Kimura; Hitoshi Inada; Kunihiro Matsumoto; Ikue Mori
• Keywords: Interneuron

Temperature is an unavoidable environmental cue that affects the metabolism and behavior of any creature on Earth, yet how animals perceive temperature poorly understood. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans "memorizes" temperatures, this stored information modifies its subsequent migration along a gradient. We show olfactory neuron designated AWC senses temperature. Calcium imaging revealed responds to changes response thresholds differ depending which animal was previously exposed. In mutant with impaired heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-mediated signaling, hyperresponsive temperature, whereas AIY interneuron (which postsynaptic AWC) hyporesponsive Thus, sensation exhibits robust influence neural circuit controlling memory-regulated behavior.