Sensory integration via glutamatergic signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans

Glutamate serves as a critical neurotransmitter in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), orchestrating sensory processing and behavioral responses through well-defined neural circuits. It integrates environmental cues, such as chemical, thermal, mechanical, and food, to drive locomotion, avoidance and attraction, feeding, egg-laying, learning and memory, and lifespan. Glutamatergic signaling involves specialized sensory neurons, transporters, and receptors, which enable precise stimulus discrimination and adaptive responses. Stimulus intensity and context determine glutamate release dynamics, with low versus high concentrations often engaging distinct receptors or pathways. The complexity of glutamate pathway arises from receptor diversity, concentration-dependent signaling, and interactions with other neuromodulators. This conserved mechanism underscores the central role of glutamate in behavioral plasticity, providing insights into fundamental neural principles applicable to higher organisms.