Anoctamin-1 is a core component of a mechanosensory anion channel complex in C. elegans

Mechanotransduction channels are widely expressed in both vertebrates and invertebrates, mediating various physiological processes such as touch, hearing and blood-pressure sensing. While previously known mechanotransduction channels in metazoans are primarily cation-selective, we identified Anoctamin-1 (ANOH-1), the C. elegans homolog of mammalian calcium-activated chloride channel ANO1/TMEM16A, as an essential component of a mechanosensory channel complex that contributes to the nose touch mechanosensation in C. elegans. Ectopic expression of either C. elegans or human Anoctamin-1 confers mechanosensitivity to touch-insensitive neurons, suggesting a cell-autonomous role of ANOH-1/ANO1 in mechanotransduction. Additionally, we demonstrated that the mechanosensory function of ANOH-1/ANO1 relies on CIB (calcium- and integrin- binding) proteins. Thus, our results reveal an evolutionarily conserved chloride channel involved in mechanosensory transduction in metazoans, highlighting the importance of anion channels in mechanosensory processes.