The Multipurpose 15-Protofilament Microtubules in C. Elegans Have Specific Roles in Mechanosensation

Authors

Alexander Bounoutas, Columbia University
Robert O'Hagan, Montclair State UniversityFollow
Martin Chalfie, Stanford University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-25-2009

Journal / Book Title

Current Biology

Abstract

Because microtubules perform many essential functions in neurons, delineating unique roles attributable to these organelles presents a formidable challenge. Microtubules endow neurons with shape and structure and are required for developmental processes including neurite outgrowth [1], intracellular transport [2], and synapse formation and plasticity [3, 4]; microtubules in sensory neurons may be required for the above processes in addition to a specific sensory function. In Caenorhabditis elegans, six touch receptor neurons (TRNs) sense gentle touch [5] and uniquely contain 15-protofilament microtubules [6]. Disruption of these microtubules by loss of either the MEC-7 β-tubulin [7] or MEC-12 α-tubulin [8] or by growth in 1 mM colchicine causes touch insensitivity [5, 6], altered distribution of the touch transduction channel, and a general reduction in protein levels. We show that the effect on touch sensitivity can be separated from the others; microtubule depolymerization in mature TRNs causes touch insensitivity but does not result in protein distribution and production defects. In addition, the mec-12(e1605) mutation selectively causes touch insensitivity without affecting microtubule formation and other cellular processes. Touching e1605 animals produces a reduced mechanoreceptor current that inactivates more rapidly than in wild-type, suggesting a specific role of the microtubules in mechanotransduction.

Comments

This article is Open Access under an Elsevier User License.

DOI

10.1016/j.cub.2009.06.036

Montclair State University Digital Commons Citation

Bounoutas, Alexander; O'Hagan, Robert; and Chalfie, Martin, "The Multipurpose 15-Protofilament Microtubules in C. Elegans Have Specific Roles in Mechanosensation" (2009). Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 79.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/biology-facpubs/79

Published Citation

Bounoutas, A., O'Hagan, R., & Chalfie, M. (2009). The multipurpose 15-protofilament microtubules in C. elegans have specific roles in mechanosensation. Current biology : CB, 19(16), 1362–1367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2009.06.036