Objective To evaluate whether the thermotaxis tracking model is suitable for assessing long-term memory (LTM) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Animals were trained at 20℃ overnight in presence of foo...Objective To evaluate whether the thermotaxis tracking model is suitable for assessing long-term memory (LTM) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Animals were trained at 20℃ overnight in presence of food. The percentage of animals performing isothermal tracking (IT) behavior was measured at different time intervals after the training. Results The percentage of animals performing IT behavior, the numbers of body bends inside and outside the training temperature, and the expression patterns of AFD and AIY neurons were similar to those in control animals at 36 and 48 h after training; whereas when extending to 60, 72, and 84 h, locomotory behavior defects were observed in the assayed animals, suggesting that this thermal tracking model is feasible for analyzing LTM at 36 and 48 h after training. Moreover, the percent-age of animals performing IT behavior was reduced at 18, 36, and 48 h after training in neuronal calcium sensor-1 gene (nsc-1) mutant animals compared with that in wild-type N2 animals. In addition, exposure to plumbum (Pb) significantly repressed the LTM at 18, 36, and 48 h after training in both wild-type N2 and ncs-1 mutant animals. Conclusion The thermotaxis tracking model is suitable for evaluating the LTM regulated by NCS-1, and can be employed for elucidating regulatory functions of specific genes or effects of stimuli on memory in C. elegans.展开更多
Insects are poikilothermic animals,and temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors affecting their spread and distribution.For example,differences in thermal tolerance may underlie the significant differe...Insects are poikilothermic animals,and temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors affecting their spread and distribution.For example,differences in thermal tolerance may underlie the significant differences in geographical distributions between the native AsiaII3 and invasive MED(Mediterranean)cryptic Bemisia tabaci species in China.Transient receptor potential(TRP)channels are key components of the insect temperature perception system and act as molecular thermometers since they can be activated by specific changes in temperature.In this study,we cloned and characterized the AsiaII3 BtTRP gene and revealed its functions in the response to thermal stress.The full-length cDNA of BtTRP was 3821 bp,with a 3501-bp open reading frame encoding a 132.05-kDa protein.Comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of AsiaII3 BtTRP and MED TRP revealed five amino acid differences.In situ hybridization indicated that BtTRP might be widely expressed throughout the AsiaII3 adult body.BtTRP mRNA expression reached the highest levels after exposure to mild thermal stimuli(12 and 35°C),showing that BtTRP expression can be induced by temperature stress.Furthermore,the thermal tolerance of AsiaII3 after BtTRP dsRNA feeding was significantly lower than that of the control.Taken together,the present study highlights the importance of TRP channels for B.tabaci thermal resistance,and allows us to infer that the differences in amino acids between AsiaII3 and MED might cause the differences in thermal tolerance of these two cryptic species.This study provides a new direction for investigating geographic distribution differences between invasive and native insects.展开更多
Global warming impacts crop production and threatens food security.Elevated temperatures are sensed by different cell components.Temperature increases are classified as either mild warm temperatures or excessively hot...Global warming impacts crop production and threatens food security.Elevated temperatures are sensed by different cell components.Temperature increases are classified as either mild warm temperatures or excessively hot temperatures,which are perceived by distinct signaling pathways in plants.Warm temperatures induce thermomorphogenesis,while high-temperature stress triggers heat acclimation and has destructive effects on plant growth and development.In this review,we systematically summarize the heat-responsive genetic networks in Arabidopsis and crop plants based on recent studies.In addition,we highlight the strategies used to improve grain yield under heat stress from a source-sink perspective.We also discuss the remaining issues regarding the characteristics of thermosensors and the urgency required to explore the basis of acclimation under multifactorial stress combination.展开更多
The ability to precisely monitor temperature at a high resolution is an important task,particularly in terms of safety.Inspired by natural thermosensitive transient receptor potential cation channels,we developed a te...The ability to precisely monitor temperature at a high resolution is an important task,particularly in terms of safety.Inspired by natural thermosensitive transient receptor potential cation channels,we developed a temperature sensor based on thermaldriven ionic charge separation.To mimic the function of nature,an ionic covalent organic frameworkbased nanofluidic membrane was fabricated.By engineering the membrane to separate two electrolyte solutions,the temperature difference across the membrane can synchronously induce a potential.The high charge density and narrow channel size render extraordinary permselectivity to the membrane,thus offering a thermosensation selectivity of up to 1.25 mV K^(−1),superior to that of any known natural system.Additionally,the generated potential is linearly related to the introduced temperature gradient,thus allowing for precise detection.With these attributes,an alarm device with high thermosensation sensitivity was constructed,demonstrating great promise for environmental temperature monitoring.展开更多
Sensory modalities are important for survival but the molecular mechanisms remain challenging due to the polymodal functionality of sensory neurons. Here, we report the C. elegans outer labial lateral(OLL) sensilla se...Sensory modalities are important for survival but the molecular mechanisms remain challenging due to the polymodal functionality of sensory neurons. Here, we report the C. elegans outer labial lateral(OLL) sensilla sensory neurons respond to touch and cold. Mechanosensation of OLL neurons resulted in cell-autonomous mechanically-evoked Ca~(2+) transients and rapidly-adapting mechanoreceptor currents with a very short latency.Mechanotransduction of OLL neurons might be carried by a novel Na~+ conductance channel, which is insensitive to amiloride. The bona fide mechano-gated Na~+ -selective degenerin/epithelial Na~+ channels, TRP-4, TMC, and Piezo proteins are not involved in this mechanosensation.Interestingly, OLL neurons also mediated cold but not warm responses in a cell-autonomous manner. We further showed that the cold response of OLL neurons is not mediated by the cold receptor TRPA-1 or the temperaturesensitive glutamate receptor GLR-3. Thus, we propose the polymodal functionality of OLL neurons in mechanosensation and cold sensation.展开更多
文摘Objective To evaluate whether the thermotaxis tracking model is suitable for assessing long-term memory (LTM) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Animals were trained at 20℃ overnight in presence of food. The percentage of animals performing isothermal tracking (IT) behavior was measured at different time intervals after the training. Results The percentage of animals performing IT behavior, the numbers of body bends inside and outside the training temperature, and the expression patterns of AFD and AIY neurons were similar to those in control animals at 36 and 48 h after training; whereas when extending to 60, 72, and 84 h, locomotory behavior defects were observed in the assayed animals, suggesting that this thermal tracking model is feasible for analyzing LTM at 36 and 48 h after training. Moreover, the percent-age of animals performing IT behavior was reduced at 18, 36, and 48 h after training in neuronal calcium sensor-1 gene (nsc-1) mutant animals compared with that in wild-type N2 animals. In addition, exposure to plumbum (Pb) significantly repressed the LTM at 18, 36, and 48 h after training in both wild-type N2 and ncs-1 mutant animals. Conclusion The thermotaxis tracking model is suitable for evaluating the LTM regulated by NCS-1, and can be employed for elucidating regulatory functions of specific genes or effects of stimuli on memory in C. elegans.
基金This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31672088 and 31601695)the Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(caascx-2017-2022-IAS)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFC1200603).
文摘Insects are poikilothermic animals,and temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors affecting their spread and distribution.For example,differences in thermal tolerance may underlie the significant differences in geographical distributions between the native AsiaII3 and invasive MED(Mediterranean)cryptic Bemisia tabaci species in China.Transient receptor potential(TRP)channels are key components of the insect temperature perception system and act as molecular thermometers since they can be activated by specific changes in temperature.In this study,we cloned and characterized the AsiaII3 BtTRP gene and revealed its functions in the response to thermal stress.The full-length cDNA of BtTRP was 3821 bp,with a 3501-bp open reading frame encoding a 132.05-kDa protein.Comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of AsiaII3 BtTRP and MED TRP revealed five amino acid differences.In situ hybridization indicated that BtTRP might be widely expressed throughout the AsiaII3 adult body.BtTRP mRNA expression reached the highest levels after exposure to mild thermal stimuli(12 and 35°C),showing that BtTRP expression can be induced by temperature stress.Furthermore,the thermal tolerance of AsiaII3 after BtTRP dsRNA feeding was significantly lower than that of the control.Taken together,the present study highlights the importance of TRP channels for B.tabaci thermal resistance,and allows us to infer that the differences in amino acids between AsiaII3 and MED might cause the differences in thermal tolerance of these two cryptic species.This study provides a new direction for investigating geographic distribution differences between invasive and native insects.
基金supported by the Shanghai Pujiang Program(22PJ1406500)the Shanghai Jiao Tong University 2030 Initiative(WH510363001-11)+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32388201 and 32201705)the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB27010104)the Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture Project(NT2021002)a project funded by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022T150648).
文摘Global warming impacts crop production and threatens food security.Elevated temperatures are sensed by different cell components.Temperature increases are classified as either mild warm temperatures or excessively hot temperatures,which are perceived by distinct signaling pathways in plants.Warm temperatures induce thermomorphogenesis,while high-temperature stress triggers heat acclimation and has destructive effects on plant growth and development.In this review,we systematically summarize the heat-responsive genetic networks in Arabidopsis and crop plants based on recent studies.In addition,we highlight the strategies used to improve grain yield under heat stress from a source-sink perspective.We also discuss the remaining issues regarding the characteristics of thermosensors and the urgency required to explore the basis of acclimation under multifactorial stress combination.
基金The authors acknowledge the National Science Foundation of China(no.22072132)Partial support from the Robert A.Welch Foundation(no.B-0027)is also acknowledged(S.M.).
文摘The ability to precisely monitor temperature at a high resolution is an important task,particularly in terms of safety.Inspired by natural thermosensitive transient receptor potential cation channels,we developed a temperature sensor based on thermaldriven ionic charge separation.To mimic the function of nature,an ionic covalent organic frameworkbased nanofluidic membrane was fabricated.By engineering the membrane to separate two electrolyte solutions,the temperature difference across the membrane can synchronously induce a potential.The high charge density and narrow channel size render extraordinary permselectivity to the membrane,thus offering a thermosensation selectivity of up to 1.25 mV K^(−1),superior to that of any known natural system.Additionally,the generated potential is linearly related to the introduced temperature gradient,thus allowing for precise detection.With these attributes,an alarm device with high thermosensation sensitivity was constructed,demonstrating great promise for environmental temperature monitoring.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31471023, 31771113, and 31800878)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2020M671695, 2020T130592, 2019T120505, and 2018M640551)。
文摘Sensory modalities are important for survival but the molecular mechanisms remain challenging due to the polymodal functionality of sensory neurons. Here, we report the C. elegans outer labial lateral(OLL) sensilla sensory neurons respond to touch and cold. Mechanosensation of OLL neurons resulted in cell-autonomous mechanically-evoked Ca~(2+) transients and rapidly-adapting mechanoreceptor currents with a very short latency.Mechanotransduction of OLL neurons might be carried by a novel Na~+ conductance channel, which is insensitive to amiloride. The bona fide mechano-gated Na~+ -selective degenerin/epithelial Na~+ channels, TRP-4, TMC, and Piezo proteins are not involved in this mechanosensation.Interestingly, OLL neurons also mediated cold but not warm responses in a cell-autonomous manner. We further showed that the cold response of OLL neurons is not mediated by the cold receptor TRPA-1 or the temperaturesensitive glutamate receptor GLR-3. Thus, we propose the polymodal functionality of OLL neurons in mechanosensation and cold sensation.