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Neural coding in a single sensory neuron controlling opposite seeking behaviours in Caenorhabditis elegans

Author

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  • Atsushi Kuhara

    (Group of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University
    Present address: Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe 658-8501, Japan.)

  • Noriyuki Ohnishi

    (Group of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University)

  • Tomoyasu Shimowada

    (Group of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University)

  • Ikue Mori

    (Group of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University
    CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency)

Abstract

Unveiling the neural codes for intricate behaviours is a major challenge in neuroscience. The neural circuit for the temperature-seeking behaviour of Caenorhabditis elegans is an ideal system to dissect how neurons encode sensory information for the execution of behavioural output. Here we show that the temperature-sensing neuron AFD transmits both stimulatory and inhibitory neural signals to a single interneuron AIY. In this circuit, a calcium concentration threshold in AFD acts as a switch for opposing neural signals that direct the opposite behaviours. Remote control of AFD activity, using a light-driven ion pump and channel, reveals that diverse reduction levels of AFD activity can generate warm- or cold-seeking behaviour. Calcium imaging shows that AFD uses either stimulatory or inhibitory neuronal signalling onto AIY, depending on the calcium concentration threshold in AFD. Thus, dual neural regulation in opposite directions is directly coupled to behavioural inversion in the simple neural circuit.

Suggested Citation

  • Atsushi Kuhara & Noriyuki Ohnishi & Tomoyasu Shimowada & Ikue Mori, 2011. "Neural coding in a single sensory neuron controlling opposite seeking behaviours in Caenorhabditis elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1352
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1352
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    Cited by:

    1. Chenxi Lin & Yuxin Shan & Zhongyi Wang & Hui Peng & Rong Li & Pingzhou Wang & Junyan He & Weiwei Shen & Zhengxing Wu & Min Guo, 2024. "Molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying avoidance of rapid cooling stimuli in C. elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Kohei Ohnishi & Takaaki Sokabe & Toru Miura & Makoto Tominaga & Akane Ohta & Atsushi Kuhara, 2024. "G protein-coupled receptor-based thermosensation determines temperature acclimatization of Caenorhabditis elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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