Molecular basis of infrared detection by snakes

Elena O. Gracheva, Nicholas T. Ingolia, Yvonne M. Kelly, Julio F. Cordero-Morales, Gunther Hollopeter, Alexander T. Chesler, Elda E. Sánchez, John C. Perez, Jonathan S. Weissman and David Julius ()
Additional contact information
Elena O. Gracheva: Department of Physiology,
Nicholas T. Ingolia: Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
Yvonne M. Kelly: Department of Physiology,
Julio F. Cordero-Morales: Department of Physiology,
Gunther Hollopeter: Department of Physiology,
Alexander T. Chesler: Department of Physiology,
Elda E. Sánchez: Natural Toxins Research Center, Texas A&M University- Kingsville
John C. Perez: Natural Toxins Research Center, Texas A&M University- Kingsville
Jonathan S. Weissman: Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
David Julius: Department of Physiology,

Nature, 2010, vol. 464, issue 7291, 1006-1011

Abstract: Abstract Snakes possess a unique sensory system for detecting infrared radiation, enabling them to generate a ‘thermal image’ of predators or prey. Infrared signals are initially received by the pit organ, a highly specialized facial structure that is innervated by nerve fibres of the somatosensory system. How this organ detects and transduces infrared signals into nerve impulses is not known. Here we use an unbiased transcriptional profiling approach to identify TRPA1 channels as infrared receptors on sensory nerve fibres that innervate the pit organ. TRPA1 orthologues from pit-bearing snakes (vipers, pythons and boas) are the most heat-sensitive vertebrate ion channels thus far identified, consistent with their role as primary transducers of infrared stimuli. Thus, snakes detect infrared signals through a mechanism involving radiant heating of the pit organ, rather than photochemical transduction. These findings illustrate the broad evolutionary tuning of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels as thermosensors in the vertebrate nervous system.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1038/nature08943

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