818-Neuron GLR-9 Receptor Regulates Salt Stress Resistance

Paper Talk · Apr 18, 2026 · 22m

This research identifies a specialized interoreceptor in C. elegans that allows the enteric nervous system to detect and manage salt stress. Scientists discovered that a single pharyngeal neuron, known as I3, utilizes a specific ionotropic receptor complex—comprised of GLR-9 and GLR-7—to sense ingested cations directly within the gut. While cholinergic signaling from this neuron provides immediate protection against sudden high-salt exposure, peptidergic signaling involving the neuropeptide FLP-6 is required for long-term acclimatization. The study demonstrates that these internal sensory…