Multiple Subthreshold GPCR Signals Combined by the G-Proteins Gα_q and Gα_s Activate the Caenorhabditis elegans Egg-Laying Muscles.

ABSTRACT: Individual neurons or muscle cells express many G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, yet it remains unclear how cells integrate multiple GPCR signals that all must activate the same few G-proteins. We analyzed this issue in the Caenorhabditis elegans egg-laying system, where multiple GPCRs on muscle cells promote contraction and egg laying. We genetically manipulated individual GPCRs and G-proteins specifically in these muscle cells within intact animals and then measured egg laying and muscle calcium activity. Two serotonin GPCRs on the muscle cells, Gα_q-coupled SER-1 and Gα_s-coupled SER-7, together promote egg laying in response to serotonin. We found that signals produced by either SER-1/Gα_q or SER-7/Gα

SUBMITTER: Olson AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10219013 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature