Neurons Detect Increases and Decreases in Oxygen Levels Using Distinct Guanylate Cyclases

Homeostatic sensory systems detect small deviations in temperature, water balance, pH, and energy needs to regulate adaptive behavior and physiology. In C. elegans, a homeostatic preference for intermediate oxygen (O-2) levels requires cGMP signaling through soluble guanylate cyclases (sGCs), proteins that bind gases through an associated heme group. Here we use behavioral analysis, functional imaging, and genetics to show that reciprocal changes in O-2 levels are encoded by sensory neurons that express alternative sets of sGCs. URX sensory neurons are activated by increases in O-2 levels, and require the sGCs gcy-35 and gcy-36. BAG sensory neurons are activated by decreases in O-2 levels, and require the sGCs gcy-31 and gcy-33. The sGCs are instructive O-2 sensors, as forced expression of URX sGC genes causes BAG neurons to detect O-2 increases. Both sGC expression and cell-intrinsic dynamics contribute to the differential roles of URX and BAG in O-2-depenclent behaviors.