Amphid wing cell B olfactory sensory neuron (AWB)

The AWB olfactory sensory neurons are a specific pair of bipolar chemosensory neurons (AWBL and AWBR) located in the amphid organ of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (WormAtlas, 2015). These neurons are specialized for the detection of volatile repellents, such as 2-nonanone and high concentrations of isoamyl alcohol, mediating long-range avoidance behaviors essential for the organism's survival (Troemel et al., 1997). The AWB neurons are morphologically distinct, characterized by elaborate 'wing' cilia, and are genetically defined by the expression of the LIM-homeobox gene lim-4 and the GPCR str-1 (Bargmann, 2006). Signal transduction within these neurons typically involves cGMP-mediated pathways involving the guanylyl cyclase ODR-1 and the cyclic nucleotide-gated channels TAX-2 and TAX-4 (L'Etoile and Bargmann, 2000). While not a human therapeutic target, AWB neurons serve as a fundamental model for studying sensory perception, signal transduction, and the genetic basis of repellent behavior in neurobiology (PubMed, PMID: 9311918).

Other names

AWB neuronAmphid wing BAWBLAWBRAWB cell

Odorant binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) such as STR-1 triggers a cGMP-dependent signaling cascade, activating cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (TAX-2/TAX-4) to depolarize the neuron and initiate avoidance behavior.