OSM-9 and OCR-2 TRPV channels are accessorial warm receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans temperature acclimatisation

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 29;10(1):18566. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-75302-3.

Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) exhibits cold tolerance and temperature acclimatisation regulated by a small number of head sensory neurons, such as the ADL temperature-sensing neurons that express three transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel subunits, OSM-9, OCR-2, and OCR-1. Here, we show that an OSM-9/OCR-2 regulates temperature acclimatisation and acts as an accessorial warmth-sensing receptor in ADL neurons. Caenorhabditis elegans TRPV channel mutants showed abnormal temperature acclimatisation. Ectopic expression of OSM-9 and OCR-2 in non-warming-responsive gustatory neurons in C. elegans and Xenopus oocytes revealed that OSM-9 and OCR-2 cooperatively responded to warming; however, neither TRPV subunit alone was responsive to warming. A warming-induced OSM-9/OCR-2-mediated current was detectable in Xenopus oocytes, yet ADL in osm-9 ocr-2 double mutant responds to warming; therefore, an OSM-9/OCR-2 TRPV channel and as yet unidentified temperature receptor might coordinate transmission of temperature signalling in ADL temperature-sensing neurons. This study demonstrates direct sensation of warming by TRPV channels in C. elegans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Sensation / genetics
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • TRPV Cation Channels / genetics*
  • Temperature
  • Xenopus / genetics

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • OCR-2 protein, C elegans
  • OSM-9 protein, C elegans
  • TRPV Cation Channels