Chemosensation - molecular mechanisms in worms and mammals

Communication with the environment and other animals through chemical cues is an essential process for the survival of many multicellular organisms. S pecialized signal transduction pathways are employed in chemodetection and the transformation of information into the electrical signals that elicit b ehaviors. In organisms as diverse as mice and nematodes, similar molecules are involved in the odorant signaling pathways. Studying the mechanisms of signal transduction in these two systems using biochemical, molecular and g enetic approaches has elucidated pathways for odor perception and the roles of specific proteins and second messenger molecules in the signaling casca des.