# oxi-1 is required for chemotaxis to odorants sensed by AWA but not AWC neurons

## TL;DR

The gene oxi-1 is important for the worm's ability to move toward certain smells detected by AWA neurons but not others detected by AWC neurons.

## Contribution

This study identifies oxi-1 as a gene specifically involved in chemotaxis to AWA-specific odorants in C. elegans.

## Key findings

- oxi-1 mutants showed reduced chemotaxis to AWA-specific odorants like pyrazine and diacetyl.
- oxi-1 is not required for chemotaxis to AWC-specific odorants like isoamyl alcohol.
- odr-7 mutants showed decreased chemotaxis to thiazole, but oxi-1 mutants did not.

## Abstract

This study examines the role of the
oxi-1 UBE3B
gene in chemotaxis of
C. elegans
to volatile odorants. Compared to wild type worms,
oxi-1
mutants showed no difference in chemotaxis to the AWC-specific odorant, isoamyl alcohol but a significant decrease in chemotaxis compared to
odr-7
mutants. Both
oxi-1
and
odr-7
mutants exhibited significant decreases in chemotaxis to AWA-specific odorants, pyrazine and diacetyl. For thiazole, which is sensed by both AWA and AWC neurons, only
odr-7
mutants showed significantly decreased chemotaxis. These data demonstrate
oxi-1
is required for chemotaxis to AWA- but not AWC-specific odorants, the mechanisms of which should be investigated.