Characterization of cephalic and non-cephalic sensory cell types provides insight into joint photo- and mechanoreceptor evolution

Characterization of cephalic and non-cephalic sensory cell types provides insight into joint photo- and mechanoreceptor evolution

Abstract

Rhabdomeric Opsins (r-Opsins) are light-sensors in cephalic eye photoreceptors, but also function in additional sensory organs. This has prompted questions on the evolutionary relationship of these cell types, and if ancient r-Opsins cells were non-photosensory. Our profiling of cephalic and non-cephalic r-opsin1-expressing cells of the marine bristleworm Platynereis dumerilii reveals shared and distinct features. Non-cephalic cells possess a full set of phototransduction components, but also a mechanosensory signature. We determine that Pdu-r-Opsin1 is a Gαq-coupled blue-light receptor. Profiling of cells from r-opsin1 mutants versus wild-types, and a comparison under different light conditions reveals that in the non-cephalic cells, light – mediated by r-Opsin1 – adjusts the expression level of a calcium transporter relevant for auditory mechanosensation in vertebrates. We establish a deep learning-based quantitative behavioral analysis for animal trunk movements, and identify a light-and r-Opsin-1-dependent fine-tuning of the worm’s undulatory movements in headless trunks, which are known to require mechanosensory feedback.

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Authors
  • Revilla-i-Domingo,, Roger
  • Veedin Rajan, Vinoth Babu
  • Waldherr, Monika
  • Prohaczka, Günther
  • Musset, Hugo
  • Orel, Lukas
  • Gerrard, Elliot
  • Smolka, Moritz
  • Stockinger, Alexander
  • Tessmar-Raible, Kristin
  • Raible, Florian
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Shortfacts
Category
Journal Paper
Divisions
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Journal or Publication Title
eLife
ISSN
2050-084X
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
Place of Publication
open access publication
Date
5 August 2021
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