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Updated: Jun 14, 2025

A Molecular Readout of Long-term Olfactory Adaptation in C. elegans
Published on: December 22, 2012
oxi-1 is required for chemotaxis to odorants sensed by AWA but not AWC neurons
Muiz Rana1, Jennifer Kowalski1
1Biological Sciences, Butler University, Indiana, United States of America.
Abstract:
This study examines the role of the oxi-1 UBE3B gene in chemotaxis of C. elegans to volatile odorants. Compared to wild type worms, oxi-1 mutants showed no difference in chemotaxis to the AWC-specific odorant, isoamyl alcohol but a significant decrease in chemotaxis compared to odr-7 mutants. Both oxi-1 and odr-7 mutants exhibited significant decreases in chemotaxis to AWA-specific odorants, pyrazine and diacetyl. For thiazole, which is sensed by both AWA and AWC neurons, only odr-7 mutants showed significantly decreased chemotaxis. These data demonstrate oxi-1 is required for chemotaxis to AWA- but not AWC-specific odorants, the mechanisms of which should be investigated.
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