Making Sense of G Proteins: Genetic analysis of sensory G protein signaling in the nematode C. elegans
Year: 2005
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Among the key molecules involved in sensory perception are G\nproteins, which act in every cell to activate a cascade of signaling molecules\nin response to certain environmental cues. In this thesis, several studies on\nthe role of G proteins in the sensory system of C. elegans are described. First,\nin Chapter 1, a brief overview of the biology of C. elegans and of G protein\nsignaling in general and in C. elegans is presented. Next, in Chapter 2, the\nsensory system of C. elegans is discussed in more (molecular) detail. In Chapter\n3, the impact of sensory signaling on the regulation of dauer formation and\nlongevity is discussed. Chapter 4 deals with the role of G protein signaling in\nthe detection of attractive odorants by C. elegans. Data is presented which\nindicate that olfaction in C. elegans is regulated by a complex signaling\nnetwork involving five G proteins. In Chapter 5, the regulation of olfactory\nreceptor gene expression by G proteins is described. B!\n oth cell autonomous as well as non-cell autonomous G protein signals regulate\nstr-2 receptor gene expression, in cooperation with Ca2+/MAPK signaling\nmolecules. Chapter 6 shows that G protein signaling in the sensory neurons also\nmodulates longevity in C. elegans. Finally, in Chapter 7, future directions are\nprovided.
Author: Hannes Lans
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2145999976