Type: Sensory neuron (Chemosensory)
In MoW: ASE
Male Wiring Project: ASEL, ASER
In Wormbase: ASE, ASEL, ASER
Lineage: AB alppppppaa, AB praaapppaa
Location: Lateral ganglia of head
Description: Amphid neurons, single ciliated endings, project into ring via commissure from
ventral ganglion, make diverse synaptic connections in ring neuropil.
Neurotransmitter: Express neuropeptide-like proteins, NLP-3, NLP-7, NLP-14 (Nathoo et al., 2001). Express the FMRFamide-related neuropeptide (FaRP), FLP-21 (Rogers et al., 2003).
Function: Involved in chemotaxis to cAMP, biotin, Cl-, Na+ and lysine; ASEL is primarily sensitive to sodium, whereas ASER is primarily sensitive to chloride and potassium (Bargmann and Horvitz, 1991; Pierce-Shimomura et al., 2001). Opposite intacellular Ca++ transients are suggested to be generated in ASEL and ASER in response to changes in NaCl concentrations (Suzuki et al., 2004). Mediates avoidance behavior from Cd2+ and Cu2+ (Sambongi et al., 1999).
Receptor Expression: ASEL expresses orphan receptor (chemosensory/odorant?) guanylyl cyclases GCY-6 and GCY-7 and ASER expresses GCY-5 (Yu et al., 1997). Express mammalian capsaicin receptor-like protein OSM-9 (Colbert et al., 1997). Express neuropeptide Y receptor like protein, NPR-1 (Coates and de Bono , 2002).