Cellular Expression and Functional Roles of All 26 Neurotransmitter GPCRs in the <i>C. elegans</i> Egg-Laying Circuit
Robert W. Fernandez, Kimberly Wei, Erin Y. Wang, Deimante Mikalauskaite, Andrew Olson, Judy S Pepper, Nakeirah T.M. Christie, Seongseop Kim, Susanne Weissenborn, Mihail Sarov, Michael R. Koelle
Abstract
Maps of the synapses made and neurotransmitters released by all neurons in model systems, such as Caenorhabditis elegans have left still unresolved how neural circuits integrate and respond to neurotransmitter signals. Using the egg-laying circuit of C. elegans as a model, we mapped which cells express each of the 26 neurotransmitter GPCRs of this organism and also genetically analyzed the functions of all 26 GPCRs. We found that individual neurons express many distinct receptors, epithelial cells often express neurotransmitter receptors, and receptors are often positioned to receive extrasynaptic signals.