1. The Drosophila ortholog of vertebrate TRPA1 regulates thermotaxis.
- Author
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Rosenzweig, Mark, Brennan, Karen M., Tayler, Timothy D., Phelps, Paul O., Patapoutian, Ardem, and Garrity, Paul A.
- Subjects
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DROSOPHILA , *TEMPERATURE measurements , *ANIMAL behavior , *TRP channels , *ION channels , *MEMBRANE proteins - Abstract
Thermotaxis is important for animal survival, but the molecular identities of temperature sensors controlling this behavior have not been determined. We demonstrate dTRPA1, a heat-activated Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family ion channel, is essential for thermotaxis in Drosophila. dTrpA1 knockdown eliminates avoidance of elevated temperatures along a thermal gradient. We observe dTRPA1 expression in cells without previously ascribed roles in thermosensation and implicate dTRPA1-expressing neurons in mediating thermotaxis. Our data suggest that thermotaxis relies upon neurons and molecules distinct from those required for high-temperature nociception. We propose dTRPA1 may control thermotaxis by sensing environmental temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005
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