HEN-1, a secretory protein with an LDL receptor motif, regulates sensory integration and learning in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cell. 2002 May 31;109(5):639-49. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(02)00748-1.

Abstract

Animals sense many environmental stimuli simultaneously and integrate various sensory signals within the nervous system both to generate proper behavioral responses and also to form relevant memories. HEN-1, a secretory protein with an LDL receptor motif, regulates such processes in Caenorhabditis elegans. The hen-1 mutants show defects in the integration of two sensory signals and in behavioral plasticity by paired stimuli, although their sensation capability seems to be identical to that of the wild-type. The HEN-1 protein is expressed in two pairs of neurons, but expression in other neurons is sufficient for wild-type behavior. In addition, expression of HEN-1 at the adult stage is sufficient. Thus, HEN-1 regulates sensory processing non-cell-autonomously in the mature neuronal circuit.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs / genetics
  • Animals
  • Bodily Secretions / physiology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nervous System / cytology
  • Nervous System / growth & development*
  • Nervous System / metabolism
  • Neural Pathways / cytology
  • Neural Pathways / growth & development*
  • Neural Pathways / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / deficiency
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Receptors, LDL / chemistry
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Sensation / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • HEN-1 protein, C elegans
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Receptors, LDL
  • TTX-3 protein, C elegans