scholarly journals Plasticity in gustatory and nociceptive neurons controls decision making in C. elegans salt navigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martijn P. J. Dekkers ◽  
Felix Salfelder ◽  
Tom Sanders ◽  
Oluwatoroti Umuerri ◽  
Netta Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Sensory Adaptation ◽  
Nociceptive Neurons ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Adaptation Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Cell

AbstractA conventional understanding of perception assigns sensory organs the role of capturing the environment. Better sensors result in more accurate encoding of stimuli, allowing for cognitive processing downstream. Here we show that plasticity in sensory neurons mediates a behavioral switch in C. elegans between attraction to NaCl in naïve animals and avoidance of NaCl in preconditioned animals, called gustatory plasticity. Ca2+ imaging in ASE and ASH NaCl sensing neurons reveals multiple cell-autonomous and distributed circuit adaptation mechanisms. A computational model quantitatively accounts for observed behaviors and reveals roles for sensory neurons in the control and modulation of motor behaviors, decision making and navigational strategy. Sensory adaptation dynamically alters the encoding of the environment. Rather than encoding the stimulus directly, therefore, we propose that these C. elegans sensors dynamically encode a context-dependent value of the stimulus. Our results demonstrate how adaptive sensory computation can directly control an animal’s behavioral state.

scholarly journals Plasticity in gustatory and nociceptive neurons controls decision making in C. elegans salt navigation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martijn P.J. Dekkers ◽  
Felix Salfelder ◽  
Tom Sanders ◽  
Oluwatoroti Umuerri ◽  
Netta Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Sensory Adaptation ◽  
Nociceptive Neurons ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Adaptation Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Cell

A conventional understanding of perception assigns sensory organs the role of capturing the environment. Better sensors result in more accurate encoding of stimuli, allowing for cognitive processing downstream. Here we show that plasticity in sensory neurons mediates a behavioral switch in C. elegans between attraction to NaCl in naive animals and avoidance of NaCl in preconditioned animals, called gustatory plasticity. Ca2+ imaging in ASE and ASH NaCl sensing neurons reveals multiple cell-autonomous and distributed circuit adaptation mechanisms. A computational model quantitatively accounts for observed behaviors and reveals roles for sensory neurons in the control and modulation of motor behaviors, decision making and navigational strategy. Sensory adaptation dynamically alters the encoding of the environment. Rather than encoding the stimulus directly, therefore, we propose that these C. elegans sensors dynamically encode a context-dependent value of the stimulus. Our results demonstrate how adaptive sensory computation can directly control an animal′s behavioral state.

scholarly journals The DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway regulates pathogen-specific innate immune responses in C. elegans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhoomi Madhu ◽  
Tina L. Gumienny
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Defense Responses ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Host Immune Responses ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Independent Functions ◽  
Multiple Cell

Innate immunity in animals is orchestrated by multiple cell signaling pathways, including the TGF-β; superfamily pathway. While the role of TGF-β signaling in innate immunity has been clearly identified, the requirement for this pathway in generating specific, robust responses to different bacterial challenges has not been characterized. Here, we address the role of DBL-1/TGF-β in regulating signature host defense responses to a wide range of bacteria in C. elegans. This work reveals a role of DBL-1/TGF-β in animal survival, organismal behaviors, and molecular responses in different environments. Additionally, we identify a novel role for SMA-4/Smad that suggests both DBL-1/TGF-β-dependent and -independent functions in host avoidance responses. RNA-seq analyses and immunity reporter studies indicate DBL-1/TGF-β differentially regulates target gene expression upon exposure to different bacteria. Furthermore, the DBL-1/TGF-β pathway is itself differentially affected by the bacteria exposure. Collectively, these findings demonstrate bacteria-specific host immune responses regulated by the DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway.

Genes necessary for C. elegans cell and growth cone migrations

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (9) ◽  
pp. 1831-1843 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.C. Forrester ◽  
G. Garriga
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Cell Fate Specification ◽  
Fate Specification ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Multiple Cell

The migrations of cells and growth cones contribute to form and pattern during metazoan development. To study the mechanisms that regulate cell motility, we have screened for C. elegans mutants defective in the posteriorly directed migrations of the canal-associated neurons (CANs). Here we describe 14 genes necessary for CAN cell migration. Our characterization of the mutants has led to three conclusions. First, the mutations define three gene classes: genes necessary for cell fate specification, genes necessary for multiple cell migrations and a single gene necessary for final positioning of migrating cells. Second, cell interactions between the CAN and HSN, a neuron that migrates anteriorly to a position adjacent to the CAN, control the final destination of the HSN cell body. Third, C. elegans larval development requires the CANs. In the absence of CAN function, larvae arrest development, with excess fluid accumulating in their pseudocoeloms. This phenotype may reflect a role of the CANs in osmoregulation.

The link between an Nav1.7 mutation and erythromelalgia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley J. Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Novel Mutation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Chronic Pain Condition ◽  
Nociceptive Neurons ◽  
Burning Pain ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Restricted Pattern

The landmark paper discussed in this chapter is ‘Gain-of-function mutation in Nav1.7 in familial erythromelalgia induces bursting of sensory neurons’, published by Dib-Hajj et al. in 2005. The voltage-dependent sodium channels Nav1.7, Nav1.8, and Nav1.9 have a restricted pattern of expression in sensory neurons in the periphery and are concentrated in small nociceptive neurons of the dorsal root ganglion, the trigeminal ganglion, and the nodose ganglion. In this paper, Dib-Hajj and colleagues studied a family with erythromelalgia (Weir Mitchell disease), an autosomal-dominant, inherited pain disorder in which burning pain in the extremities can be triggered by warming of the skin or moderate exertion. By identifying a novel mutation in SCN9A, which encodes Nav1.7, they established the critical role of this specific ion channel in this patient population. These findings represent an important first step towards developing isoform-specific channel blockers for the treatment of an inherited chronic pain condition.

scholarly journals Recent advances in understanding the role of the basal ganglia

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Simonyan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Procedural Learning ◽  
Voluntary Movements ◽  
Subcortical Structure ◽  
Functional Importance ◽  
Motor Behaviors ◽  
Simultaneous Inhibition

The basal ganglia are a complex subcortical structure that is principally involved in the selection and implementation of purposeful actions in response to external and internal cues. The basal ganglia set the pattern for facilitation of voluntary movements and simultaneous inhibition of competing or interfering movements. In addition, the basal ganglia are involved in the control of a wide variety of non-motor behaviors, spanning emotions, language, decision making, procedural learning, and working memory. This review presents a comparative overview of classic and contemporary models of basal ganglia organization and functional importance, including their increased integration with cortical and cerebellar structures.

scholarly journals Knockout of glial channel ACD-1 exacerbates sensory deficits in a C. elegans mutant by regulating calcium levels of sensory neurons

2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Wang ◽  
Giulia D'Urso ◽  
Laura Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Sensory Deficits ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Hypomorphic Allele ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Gated Channel ◽  
Intracellular Ca

Degenerin/epithelial Na+ channels (DEG/ENaCs) are voltage-independent Na+ or Na+/Ca2+ channels expressed in many tissues and are needed for a wide range of physiological functions, including sensory perception and transepithelial Na+ transport. In the nervous system, DEG/ENaCs are expressed in both neurons and glia. However, the role of glial vs. neuronal DEG/ENaCs remains unclear. We recently reported the characterization of a novel DEG/ENaC in Caenorhabditis elegans that we named ACD-1. ACD-1 is expressed in glial amphid sheath cells. The glial ACD-1, together with the neuronal DEG/ENaC DEG-1, is necessary for acid avoidance and attraction to lysine. We report presently that knockout of acd-1 in glia exacerbates sensory deficits caused by another mutant: the hypomorphic allele of the cGMP-gated channel subunit tax-2. Furthermore, sensory deficits caused by mutations in Gi protein odr-3 and guanylate cyclase daf-11, which regulate the activity of TAX-2/TAX-4 channels, are worsened by knockout of acd-1. We also show that sensory neurons of acd-1 tax-2(p694) double mutants fail to undergo changes in intracellular Ca2+ when animals are exposed to low concentrations of attractant. Finally, we show that exogenous expression of TRPV1 in sensory neurons and exposure to capsaicin rescue sensory deficits of acd-1 tax-2(p694) mutants, suggesting that sensory deficits of these mutants are bypassed by increasing neuronal excitability. Our data suggest a role of glial DEG/ENaC channel ACD-1 in supporting neuronal activity.

scholarly journals Sexually dimorphic control of gene expression in sensory neurons regulates decision-making behavior in C. elegans

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë A Hilbert ◽  
Dennis H Kim
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Neuron Pair ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Male Specific

Animal behavior is directed by the integration of sensory information from internal states and the environment. Neuroendocrine regulation of diverse behaviors of Caenorhabditis elegans is under the control of the DAF-7/TGF-β ligand that is secreted from sensory neurons. Here, we show that C. elegans males exhibit an altered, male-specific expression pattern of daf-7 in the ASJ sensory neuron pair with the onset of reproductive maturity, which functions to promote male-specific mate-searching behavior. Molecular genetic analysis of the switch-like regulation of daf-7 expression in the ASJ neuron pair reveals a hierarchy of regulation among multiple inputs—sex, age, nutritional status, and microbial environment—which function in the modulation of behavior. Our results suggest that regulation of gene expression in sensory neurons can function in the integration of a wide array of sensory information and facilitate decision-making behaviors in C. elegans.

Influences of Personal Experience in Decision-Making

2017 ◽  
pp. 76-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Spiegel
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Decision Process ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Individual Experience ◽  
Systematic Revision ◽  
Cognitive Sciences ◽  
The Individual ◽  
State Of Art

Among the aspects that conform the human cognition and therefore, the behavior observed in the choices, there is the individual experience. Researches point the experience performing either positive as negative roles in the process of decision-making. Motivated by the question, What is the role of the experience in the decision-making? this text sought to check in which way the state of art and the technique of Cognitive Sciences could contribute with the better understanding of the cognitive processing in the context of decision-making. It was adopted as a start the roles' structured exposition of the cognition elements during the decision process, as Spiegel's (2014) proposal. It was investigated through a systematic revision of the literature, the impacts of the decision-maker's experience in the manifestation of attention, categorization, memory and emotion. As a result, 17 inferences that present which is the role of the experience in the decision-making, and deeply, which are the implications of the experience in the cognitive process of the decision-maker, are presented.

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