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Molecular Characteristics of Neuron-like Functions in Single-Cell Organisms

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Brain Evolution by Design

Part of the book series: Diversity and Commonality in Animals ((DCA))

Abstract

Single-cell organisms can respond to stimuli from the environment, including chemical and tactile stimuli, to survive and propagate. Thus, single-cell organisms appear to show neuron-like functions. In this review, I investigate neuron-like functions in bacteria (Escherichia coli) and ciliates (Paramecium and Tetrahymena). In E. coli, six chemotaxis-specific (che) genes have been identified as critical in the ability of organisms to react to stimuli from the environment. The che genes encode signaling molecules to transmit information from receptors to motor proteins that regulate some E. coli behavior. Thus, the Che proteins are thought to form a “central processing unit (CPU)”-like complex in E. coli. The eukaryotic single-cell organisms Paramecium and Tetrahymena have also been employed for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ciliate behaviors. Paramecia uptake calcium ions and show membrane excitation when they receive a repulsive stimulus, similar to neurons. In addition, the calcium ions function as the second messengers through calmodulin activity and regulate the concentration of cAMP in cilia. Increment changes in cAMP concentration in the cilia result in changes in their beating pattern, which alters the behaviors of paramecia. Moreover, our recent results indicate that the neurotransmitter serotonin is involved in physical functions in Tetrahymena thermophila. These results indicate clearly that bacteria and ciliates are equipped with neuron-like functions. The discussion addresses whether single-cell organisms have intelligence, emotion, and mind.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Intelligence Science and Technology, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Shingo Maegawa Ph.D.

  2. Kyoto University, Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Shingo Maegawa Ph.D.

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  1. Shingo Maegawa Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Shingo Maegawa Ph.D. .

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  1. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy

    Shuichi Shigeno

  2. Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan

    Yasunori Murakami

  3. Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

    Tadashi Nomura

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Maegawa, S. (2017). Molecular Characteristics of Neuron-like Functions in Single-Cell Organisms. In: Shigeno, S., Murakami, Y., Nomura, T. (eds) Brain Evolution by Design. Diversity and Commonality in Animals. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-56469-0_2

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