The adhesion GPCR latrophilin/CIRL shapes mechanosensation.
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are typically regarded as chemosensors that control cellular states in response to soluble extracellular cues. However, the modality of stimuli recognized through adhesion GPCR (aGPCR), the second largest class of the GPCR superfamily, is unresolved. Our study characterizes the Drosophila aGPCR Latrophilin/dCirl, a prototype member of this enigmatic receptor class. We show that dCirl shapes the perception of tactile, proprioceptive, and auditory stimuli through chordotonal neurons, the principal mechanosensors of Drosophila. dCirl sensitizes these neurons for the detection of mechanical stimulation by amplifying their input-output function. Our results indicate that aGPCR may generally process and modulate the perception of mechanical signals, linking these important stimuli to the sensory canon of the GPCR superfamily.
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
Nicole
N
Scholz
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
Jennifer
J
Gehring
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
Chonglin
C
Guan
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
Dmitrij
D
Ljaschenko
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany; Department of Neurobiology and Genetics, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
Robin
R
Fischer
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
Vetrivel
V
Lakshmanan
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany. Electronic address: robert.kittel@uni-wuerzburg.de.
Robert J
RJ
Kittel
Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070 Würzburg, Germany. Electronic address: tobias.langenhan@uni-wuerzburg.de.
Tobias
T
Langenhan
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002923:Cilia / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D056426:Genetic Loci; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013216:Reflex, Startle; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
C000604936:CIRL protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018000:Receptors, Peptide