Fig. 4: ANOH-1 mediates Ca²⁺-independent mechanoreceptor currents in ASJ neurons.

a Schematic illustration of mechanoreceptor currents (MRCs) recording in ASJ neurons from a dissected worm. A glass probe with a diameter of about 10 μm was placed near the cilium of the ASJ neuron and mechanical force was applied by a piezo actuator. b Representative MRC in ASJ evoked by mechanical stimulation with 15 μm displacement. Holding potential: −70 mV. c Latency of MRCs in ASJ. Left: sample trace. Right: latency values. Mechanical stimulation: 15 μm displacement. Holding potential: −70 mV. d MRCs in ASJ. Left: sample trace. Right: the amplitude of MRCs. Mechanical stimulation: 15 μm displacement. Holding potential: −70 mV. P values were calculated using Kruskal-Wallis test. e MRCs in ASJ were independent of extra- and intracellular Ca²⁺, and blocked by NFA and T16A_inh-A01. Left: sample traces. Right: peak MRC amplitudes. Holding potential: −70 mV. P values were calculated using Kruskal-Wallis test. f MRCs in ASJ neurons were dependent on both intracellular and extracellular chloride concentrations. Left: representative traces. The cell membrane was initially voltage-clamped at −50 mV, 0 mV, and 50 mV, respectively, and the displayed voltages have been corrected posthoc for liquid junction potentials (LJPs). Middle: I–V relationship of MRCs in ASJ. Peak current values were used here and throughout the manuscript. Right: the reversal potentials of MRCs. Mechanical stimulation: 15 μm displacement. P values were calculated using Brown-Forsythe and Welch ANOVA tests. Day 2 adult hermaphroditic animals were used in these experiments. Each dot represents 1 animal. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. ns not significant, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.