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Caenorhabditis elegans exhibit a coupling between the defecation motor program and directed locomotion
Stanislav Nagy1, Yung-Chi Huang2, Mark J Alkema2
1The Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Scientific Reports
|November 25, 2015
Summary
The study reveals that the defecation motor program (DMP) in C. elegans is synchronized with directed locomotion patterns. Genetic changes in intestinal calcium signaling impact both motor programs, suggesting non-neuronal control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Motor programs can be coupled to enhance behavioral complexity.
- The mechanisms linking distinct motor programs remain largely unknown.
- The defecation motor program (DMP) in C. elegans involves rhythmic contractions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the coupling between the C. elegans defecation motor program (DMP) and directed locomotion.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, particularly the role of calcium and proton signaling.
- To determine if synchronized motor programs initiate before the DMP.
Main Methods:
- Observed C. elegans behavior and synchronized motor programs.
- Utilized genetic manipulations affecting calcium dynamics.
- Monitored calcium waves in the intestine and proton signaling.
- Analyzed the temporal relationship between locomotion patterns and DMP events.
Main Results:
- Recurring patterns of directed locomotion were found to be coupled with the DMP cycle.
- Genetic alterations in calcium signaling pathways affected both DMP and locomotion.
- Locomotion patterns initiated up to 10 seconds before the posterior body contraction of the DMP.
- Non-neuronal tissues were implicated in driving synchronized directed locomotion.
Conclusions:
- Two multi-step motor programs in C. elegans (DMP and directed locomotion) are synchronized.
- Intestinal calcium and proton signaling play a role in coordinating these motor programs.
- Synchronized motor programs may initiate upstream of the DMP, driven by non-neuronal cues.
