Thermosensation: How a human-infective nematode finds its host

Tong Pan; Elizabeth A Ronan; X Z Shawn Xu

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.049

Thermosensation: How a human-infective nematode finds its host

Curr Biol. 2022 May 23;32(10):R464-R466. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.049.

Authors

Tong Pan¹, Elizabeth A Ronan¹, X Z Shawn Xu²

Affiliations

¹ Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
² Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

The parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis locates human hosts via thermal cues through unknown neural mechanisms. A new study finds that the heat-sensing neuron AFD mediates attraction to human body heat. Interestingly, this neuron also mediates thermotaxis in the nematode C. elegans.

Publication types

Comment

MeSH terms

Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology
Humans
Nematoda*
Neurons / physiology
Strongyloides stercoralis* / physiology
Taxis Response*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

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