Chemosensory transduction in eukaryotic microorganisms: trends for neuroscience?

It might appear curious to read about yeast, slime molds and protozoa in a journal dedicated to neuroscience. However, despite their distinct lack of synapses, eukaryotic microorganisms hold a wealth of information relevant to the signal-transduction pathways that underly activity in neuronal receptor cells, particularly those subserving the chemical senses. Microorganisms are sensitive to chemical stimuli from their environment and thus have similarities to receptor neurons of the olfactory system and the taste bud. Here, we introduce receptors, second messengers and effectors responsible for chemosensory signal transduction in yeast mating, sea-urchin spermatozoan chemotaxis, slime-mold aggregation and development, and ciliate chemoresponses.