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Osmotic Avoidance in Caenorhabditis elegans: Synaptic Function of Two Genes, Orthologues of Human NRXN1 and NLGN1, as Candidates for Autism
Published on: December 11, 2009
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An Intestine-Derived Neuropeptide Controls Avoidance Behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans
Kiho Lee1, Eleftherios Mylonakis1
1Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
Cell Reports
|September 7, 2017
Summary
The intestine regulates Caenorhabditis elegans avoidance of harmful bacteria via the ins-11 neuropeptide. This finding reveals how negative feedback helps the worm balance dangerous and safe environments for survival.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Environmental changes, including gut microbiota shifts, impact metazoan memory and behavior.
- Caenorhabditis elegans exhibits food source discrimination, avoiding pathogenic bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intestine's role in regulating C. elegans avoidance behavior towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying this avoidance response.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the role of the insulin-like neuropeptide ins-11 in C. elegans avoidance.
- Examined the transcriptional regulation of ins-11 by hlh-30 and the p38 MAPK pathway.
- Analyzed the effects of ins-11 attenuation on aversive learning, survival, and energy storage.
Main Results:
- The intestine regulates pathogenic bacteria avoidance in C. elegans through the ins-11 neuropeptide.
- ins-11 expression is controlled by hlh-30 and the p38 MAPK pathway.
- Reduced ins-11 levels enhance avoidance and survival but decrease foraging and reproduction.
Conclusions:
- The intestine plays a crucial role in mediating avoidance behavior in C. elegans.
- Negative feedback mechanisms involving ins-11 allow C. elegans to balance risks in changing environments.
- This study identifies a novel pathway for regulating behavior in response to environmental cues.
