EGL-3 and EGL-21 are required to trigger nocifensive response of Caenorhabditis elegans to noxious heat

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a widely used model organism to examine nocifensive response to noxious stimuli, including heat avoidance. Recently, comprehensive analysis of the genome sequence revealed several pro-neuropeptide genes, encoding a series of bioactive neuropeptides. C. elegans neuropeptides are involved in the modulation of essentially all behaviors including locomotion, mechanosensation, thermosensation and chemosensation. The maturation of pro-neuropeptide to neuropeptide is performed by ortholog pro-protein convertases and carboxypeptidase E (e.g.
Source: Neuropeptides - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Source Type: research