IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natcom/v16y2025i1d10.1038_s41467-025-56938-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Anoctamin-1 is a core component of a mechanosensory anion channel complex in C. elegans

Author

Listed:
  • Wenjuan Zou

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University)

  • Yuedan Fan

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Jia Liu

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Hankui Cheng

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Huitao Hong

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Umar Al-Sheikh

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Shitian Li

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Linhui Zhu

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Rong Li

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

  • Longyuan He

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Yi-Quan Tang

    (Fudan University)

  • Guohua Zhao

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Yongming Zhang

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Feng Wang

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Renya Zhan

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Xiujue Zheng

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

  • Lijun Kang

    (Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University School of Medicine
    Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University)

Abstract

Mechanotransduction channels are widely expressed in both vertebrates and invertebrates, mediating various physiological processes such as touch, hearing and blood-pressure sensing. While previously known mechanotransduction channels in metazoans are primarily cation-selective, we identified Anoctamin-1 (ANOH-1), the C. elegans homolog of mammalian calcium-activated chloride channel ANO1/TMEM16A, as an essential component of a mechanosensory channel complex that contributes to the nose touch mechanosensation in C. elegans. Ectopic expression of either C. elegans or human Anoctamin-1 confers mechanosensitivity to touch-insensitive neurons, suggesting a cell-autonomous role of ANOH-1/ANO1 in mechanotransduction. Additionally, we demonstrated that the mechanosensory function of ANOH-1/ANO1 relies on CIB (calcium- and integrin- binding) proteins. Thus, our results reveal an evolutionarily conserved chloride channel involved in mechanosensory transduction in metazoans, highlighting the importance of anion channels in mechanosensory processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjuan Zou & Yuedan Fan & Jia Liu & Hankui Cheng & Huitao Hong & Umar Al-Sheikh & Shitian Li & Linhui Zhu & Rong Li & Longyuan He & Yi-Quan Tang & Guohua Zhao & Yongming Zhang & Feng Wang & Renya Zha, 2025. "Anoctamin-1 is a core component of a mechanosensory anion channel complex in C. elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56938-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56938-z
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56938-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41467-025-56938-z?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wenjuan Zou & Jiajun Fu & Haining Zhang & Kang Du & Wenming Huang & Junwei Yu & Shitian Li & Yuedan Fan & Howard A. Baylis & Shangbang Gao & Rui Xiao & Wei Ji & Lijun Kang & Tao Xu, 2018. "Decoding the intensity of sensory input by two glutamate receptors in one C. elegans interneuron," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Aaron P. Owji & Jiali Wang & Alec Kittredge & Zada Clark & Yu Zhang & Wayne A. Hendrickson & Tingting Yang, 2022. "Structures and gating mechanisms of human bestrophin anion channels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Hanbin Jeong & Sarah Clark & April Goehring & Sepehr Dehghani-Ghahnaviyeh & Ali Rasouli & Emad Tajkhorshid & Eric Gouaux, 2022. "Structures of the TMC-1 complex illuminate mechanosensory transduction," Nature, Nature, vol. 610(7933), pages 796-803, October.
    4. Maureen M. Barr & Paul W. Sternberg, 1999. "A polycystic kidney-disease gene homologue required for male mating behaviour in C. elegans," Nature, Nature, vol. 401(6751), pages 386-389, September.
    5. Wei Li & Lijun Kang & Beverly J. Piggott & Zhaoyang Feng & X.Z. Shawn Xu, 2011. "The neural circuits and sensory channels mediating harsh touch sensation in Caenorhabditis elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-9, September.
    6. Andy K. M. Lam & Jan Rheinberger & Cristina Paulino & Raimund Dutzler, 2021. "Gating the pore of the calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Hagar Setty & Yehuda Salzberg & Shadi Karimi & Elisheva Berent-Barzel & Michael Krieg & Meital Oren-Suissa, 2022. "Sexually dimorphic architecture and function of a mechanosensory circuit in C. elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    8. Peter G. Gillespie & Richard G. Walker, 2001. "Molecular basis of mechanosensory transduction," Nature, Nature, vol. 413(6852), pages 194-202, September.
    9. Young Duk Yang & Hawon Cho & Jae Yeon Koo & Min Ho Tak & Yeongyo Cho & Won-Sik Shim & Seung Pyo Park & Jesun Lee & Byeongjun Lee & Byung-Moon Kim & Ramin Raouf & Young Ki Shin & Uhtaek Oh, 2008. "TMEM16A confers receptor-activated calcium-dependent chloride conductance," Nature, Nature, vol. 455(7217), pages 1210-1215, October.
    10. J. M. Kefauver & A. B. Ward & A. Patapoutian, 2020. "Discoveries in structure and physiology of mechanically activated ion channels," Nature, Nature, vol. 587(7835), pages 567-576, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Melanie Arndt & Carolina Alvadia & Monique S. Straub & Vanessa Clerico Mosina & Cristina Paulino & Raimund Dutzler, 2022. "Structural basis for the activation of the lipid scramblase TMEM16F," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Mingfeng Zhang & Yuanyue Shan & Charles D. Cox & Duanqing Pei, 2023. "A mechanical-coupling mechanism in OSCA/TMEM63 channel mechanosensitivity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Yuanyue Shan & Mengmeng Zhang & Meiyu Chen & Xinyi Guo & Ying Li & Mingfeng Zhang & Duanqing Pei, 2024. "Activation mechanisms of dimeric mechanosensitive OSCA/TMEM63 channels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Sonu Peedikayil-Kurien & Rizwanul Haque & Asaf Gat & Meital Oren-Suissa, 2025. "Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Andy K. M. Lam & Sonja Rutz & Raimund Dutzler, 2022. "Inhibition mechanism of the chloride channel TMEM16A by the pore blocker 1PBC," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    6. Du Wenqiang & Ashkan Novin & Yamin Liu & Junaid Afzal & Yasir Suhail & Shaofei Liu & Nicole R. Gavin & Jennifer R. Jorgensen & Christopher M. Morosky & Reinaldo Figueroa & Tannin A. Schmidt & Melinda , 2024. "Scar matrix drives Piezo1 mediated stromal inflammation leading to placenta accreta spectrum," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Shilong Yang & Xinwen Miao & Steven Arnold & Boxuan Li & Alan T. Ly & Huan Wang & Matthew Wang & Xiangfu Guo & Medha M. Pathak & Wenting Zhao & Charles D. Cox & Zheng Shi, 2022. "Membrane curvature governs the distribution of Piezo1 in live cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Aaron P. Owji & Jingyun Dong & Alec Kittredge & Jiali Wang & Yu Zhang & Tingting Yang, 2024. "Neurotransmitter-bound bestrophin channel structures reveal small molecule drug targeting sites for disease treatment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    9. Nathalia G. Amado & Elena D. Nosyreva & David Thompson & Thomas J. Egeland & Osita W. Ogujiofor & Michelle Yang & Alexandria N. Fusco & Niccolo Passoni & Jeremy Mathews & Brandi Cantarel & Linda A. Ba, 2024. "PIEZO1 loss-of-function compound heterozygous mutations in the rare congenital human disorder Prune Belly Syndrome," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    10. Clement Verkest & Irina Schaefer & Timo A. Nees & Na Wang & Juri M. Jegelka & Francisco J. Taberner & Stefan G. Lechner, 2022. "Intrinsically disordered intracellular domains control key features of the mechanically-gated ion channel PIEZO2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    11. Yuanyuan Zhao & Ju Liu & Gang Lu & Jinliang Zhang & Liyang Wan & Shan Peng & Chao Li & Yanlei Wang & Mingzhan Wang & Hongyan He & John H. Xin & Yulong Ding & Shuang Zheng, 2024. "Diurnal humidity cycle driven selective ion transport across clustered polycation membrane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    12. Su-Hyuk Ko & Kyung-Ah Cho & Xin Li & Qitao Ran & Zhijie Liu & Lizhen Chen, 2025. "GPX modulation promotes regenerative axonal fusion and functional recovery after injury through PSR-1 condensation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, December.
    13. Chenxi Lin & Yuxin Shan & Zhongyi Wang & Hui Peng & Rong Li & Pingzhou Wang & Junyan He & Weiwei Shen & Zhengxing Wu & Min Guo, 2024. "Molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying avoidance of rapid cooling stimuli in C. elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    14. Maja Bialecka-Fornal & Heun Jin Lee & Hannah A DeBerg & Chris S Gandhi & Rob Phillips, 2012. "Single-Cell Census of Mechanosensitive Channels in Living Bacteria," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(3), pages 1-13, March.
    15. Yuqi Qin & Daqi Yu & Dan Wu & Jiangqing Dong & William Thomas Li & Chang Ye & Kai Chit Cheung & Yingyi Zhang & Yun Xu & YongQiang Wang & Yun Stone Shi & Shangyu Dang, 2023. "Cryo-EM structure of TMEM63C suggests it functions as a monomer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    16. Jonathan Mount & Grigory Maksaev & Brock T. Summers & James A. J. Fitzpatrick & Peng Yuan, 2022. "Structural basis for mechanotransduction in a potassium-dependent mechanosensitive ion channel," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    17. Jiali Wang & Aaron P. Owji & Alec Kittredge & Zada Clark & Yu Zhang & Tingting Yang, 2024. "GAD65 tunes the functions of Best1 as a GABA receptor and a neurotransmitter conducting channel," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Yeongmok Lee & Elsa Demes-Causse & Jaemin Yoo & Seo Young Jang & Seoyeon Jung & Justyna Jaślan & Geum-Sook Hwang & Jejoong Yoo & Alexis Angeli & Sangho Lee, 2025. "Structural basis for malate-driven, pore lipid-regulated activation of the Arabidopsis vacuolar anion channel ALMT9," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    19. Sanahan Vijayakumar & Robert G. Alberstein & Zhiyin Zhang & Yi-Sheng Lu & Adriano Chan & Charlotte E. Wahl & James S. Ha & Deborah E. Hunka & Gerry R. Boss & Michael J. Sailor & F. Akif Tezcan, 2024. "Designed 2D protein crystals as dynamic molecular gatekeepers for a solid-state device," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    20. Kirill D. Nadezhdin & Irina A. Talyzina & Aravind Parthasarathy & Arthur Neuberger & David X. Zhang & Alexander I. Sobolevsky, 2023. "Structure of human TRPV4 in complex with GTPase RhoA," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56938-z. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.