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-Structure paper
Title | Sensory specializations drive octopus and squid behaviour. |
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Journal, issue, pages | Nature, Vol. 616, Issue 7956, Page 378-383, Year 2023 |
Publish date | Apr 12, 2023 |
Authors | Guipeun Kang / Corey A H Allard / Wendy A Valencia-Montoya / Lena van Giesen / Jeong Joo Kim / Peter B Kilian / Xiaochen Bai / Nicholas W Bellono / Ryan E Hibbs / |
PubMed Abstract | The evolution of new traits enables expansion into new ecological and behavioural niches. Nonetheless, demonstrated connections between divergence in protein structure, function and lineage-specific ...The evolution of new traits enables expansion into new ecological and behavioural niches. Nonetheless, demonstrated connections between divergence in protein structure, function and lineage-specific behaviours remain rare. Here we show that both octopus and squid use cephalopod-specific chemotactile receptors (CRs) to sense their respective marine environments, but structural adaptations in these receptors support the sensation of specific molecules suited to distinct physiological roles. We find that squid express ancient CRs that more closely resemble related nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, whereas octopuses exhibit a more recent expansion in CRs consistent with their elaborated 'taste by touch' sensory system. Using a combination of genetic profiling, physiology and behavioural analyses, we identify the founding member of squid CRs that detects soluble bitter molecules that are relevant in ambush predation. We present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of a squid CR and compare this with octopus CRs and nicotinic receptors. These analyses demonstrate an evolutionary transition from an ancestral aromatic 'cage' that coordinates soluble neurotransmitters or tastants to a more recent octopus CR hydrophobic binding pocket that traps insoluble molecules to mediate contact-dependent chemosensation. Thus, our study provides a foundation for understanding how adaptation of protein structure drives the diversification of organismal traits and behaviour. |
External links | Nature / PubMed:37045917 / PubMed Central |
Methods | EM (single particle) |
Resolution | 2.62 - 3.13 Å |
Structure data | EMDB-28163: Cryo-EM map of octopus sensory receptor CRT1 EMDB-28167: Cryo-EM map of squid sensory receptor CRB1 |
Chemicals | ChemComp-NAG: ChemComp-DU0: ChemComp-WK3: ChemComp-HOH: |
Source |
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Keywords | STRUCTURAL PROTEIN / pentameric ligand gated ion channel / octopus sensory receptor / cys-loop receptor / squid sensory receptor |