RRC ID 76018
Author Morud J, Hardege I, Liu H, Wu T, Choi MK, Basu S, Zhang Y, Schafer WR.
Title Deorphanization of novel biogenic amine-gated ion channels identifies a new serotonin receptor for learning.
Journal Curr Biol
Abstract Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) play conserved, critical roles in both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission and can be activated by diverse neurochemical ligands. We have performed a characterization of orphan channels from the nematode C. elegans, identifying five new monoamine-gated LGICs with diverse functional properties and expression postsynaptic to aminergic neurons. These include polymodal anion channels activated by both dopamine and tyramine, which may mediate inhibitory transmission by both molecules in vivo. Intriguingly, we also find that a novel serotonin-gated cation channel, LGC-50, is essential for aversive olfactory learning of pathogenic bacteria, a process known to depend on serotonergic neurotransmission. Remarkably, the redistribution of LGC-50 to neuronal processes is modulated by olfactory conditioning, and lgc-50 point mutations that cause misregulation of receptor membrane expression interfere with olfactory learning. Thus, the intracellular trafficking and localization of these receptors at synapses may represent a molecular cornerstone of the learning mechanism.
Volume 31(19)
Pages 4282-4292.e6
Published 2021-10-11
DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.036
PII S0960-9822(21)00991-X
PMID 34388373
PMC PMC8536830
MeSH Animals Biogenic Amines / metabolism Caenorhabditis elegans* / physiology Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / metabolism Ion Channels / metabolism Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
Resource
C.elegans tm3712