Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Apr 22.
Published in final edited form as: Curr Biol. 2014 Dec 31;25(2):163–174. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.11.040

Figure 7. Model for HSF1 Activation upon Neurosensory Release of Serotonin.

Figure 7

The HSR of a cell can be activated in C. elegans in two distinct phases. An initial preemptive neurosensory phase involves the excitation of AFD thermosensory neurons that typically respond to innocuous temperature shifts. This elicits serotonin release, directly or indirectly activates HSF1 to transiently increase hsp70 mRNA levels, and occurs in the absence of protein misfolding. Subsequently, prolonged exposure to heat can cause protein misfolding, and the resulting damage induces HSF1-dependent hsp70 transcription as has been well described. The role of serotonin in this latter phase is not known.