Brv1 Is Required for Drosophila Larvae to Sense Gentle Touch

Abstract

Summary: How we sense touch is fundamental for many physiological processes. However, the underlying mechanism and molecular identity for touch sensation are largely unknown. Here, we report on defective gentle-touch behavioral responses in brv1 loss-of-function Drosophila larvae. RNAi and Ca2+ imaging confirmed the involvement of Brv1 in sensing touch and demonstrated that Brv1 mediates the mechanotransduction of class III dendritic arborization neurons. Electrophysiological recordings further revealed that the expression of Brv1 protein in HEK293T cells gives rise to stretch-activated cation channels. Purified Brv1 protein reconstituted into liposomes were found to sense stretch stimuli. In addition, co-expression studies suggested that Brv1 amplifies the response of mechanosensitive ion channel NOMPC (no mechanoreceptor potential C) to touch stimuli. Altogether, these findings demonstrate a molecular entity that mediates the gentle-touch response in Drosophila larvae, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of touch sensation. : Zhang et al. demonstrate that Brv1 is required for Drosophila larvae to sense gentle touch and mediates the mechanotransduction of class III dendritic arborization neurons. Electrophysiological analysis reveals that Brv1 forms a stretch-activated cation channel. Keywords: touch sensation, mechanosensitive channel, stretch-activated channel, mechanotransduction, Brv1, NOMPC, touch, ion channel