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PMID: 18587393 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Action potentials contribute to neuronal signaling in C. elegans.

Nature neuroscience ·Vol. 11 ·No. 8 ·2008-08-00 ·Pages 865-7

Mellem JE, Brockie PJ, Madsen DM, Maricq AV

Abstract

Small, high-impedance neurons with short processes, similar to those found in the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, are predicted to transmit electrical signals by passive propagation. However, we have found that certain neurons in C. elegans fire regenerative action potentials. These neurons resembled Schmitt triggers, as their potential state appears to be bistable. Transitions between up and down states could be triggered by application of the neurotransmitter glutamate or brief current pulses.

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials/drug effects,genetics,physiology Animals Animals, Genetically Modified Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics,metabolism Calcium/metabolism Electric Stimulation Feedback/physiology Glutamic Acid/metabolism,pharmacology Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics Ion Channels/genetics,metabolism Ions/metabolism Neural Conduction/drug effects,physiology Neurons/classification,drug effects,physiology Patch-Clamp Techniques Receptors, AMPA/genetics,metabolism Sodium/metabolism Stimulation, Chemical

Chemicals

Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins Ion Channels Ions Receptors, AMPA glr-1 protein, C elegans Green Fluorescent Proteins Glutamic Acid Sodium Calcium

Authors & Affiliations

4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID

Mellem Jerry E

Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0840, USA.

Brockie Penelope J

Madsen David M

Maricq Andres V

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15 references, click to expand

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Article Info

Journal

Nature neuroscience

Abbr.

Nat Neurosci

ISSN

1546-1726

DOI

10.1038/nn.2131

Published

2008-08-00

Epub

2008-00-29

Pages

865-7

Language

English

Region

United States

NLM ID

9809671

PMCID

PMC2697921

Subset

Grants

NINDS NIH HHS · R01 NS035812 · United States

NINDS NIH HHS · R01 NS035812-12 · United States

NINDS NIH HHS · NS35812 · United States

Corrections

CommentIn

PMID: 19322234

External Links

PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/nn.2131 PMC Full Text View journal details

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Action potentials contribute to neuronal signaling in C. elegans.

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