A primer on pheromone signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans for systems biologists. Issue 13 (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGrath, Patrick T.; Ruvinsky, Ilya
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in systems biology. Issue 13(2019)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Pheromones -- Chemical communication -- Chemoreceptors; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2018.08.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2452-3100

Abstract

Abstract: Individuals communicate information about their age, sex, social status, and recent life history with other members of their species through the release of pheromones, chemical signals that elicit behavioral or physiological changes in the recipients. Pheromones provide a fascinating example of information exchange: animals have evolved intraspecific languages in the presence of eavesdroppers and cheaters. In this review, we discuss the recent work using the nematode C. elegans to decipher its chemical language through the analysis of ascaroside pheromones. Genetic dissection has started to identify the enzymes that produce pheromones and the neural circuits that process these signals. Ecological experiments have characterized the biotic environment of C. elegans and its relatives, including ecological relationships with a variety of species that sense or release similar blends of ascarosides. Systems biology approaches should be fruitful in understanding the organization and function of communication systems in C. elegans . Highlights: Ascaroside pheromones of Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to study principles of information exchange via chemical signals. Nematodes release blends of ascarosides that are species-specific and reflect condition of the sender. Ascaroside signaling is involved in communication with predators, hosts, and vectors associated with nematodes. Neural circuits that sense ascarosides and modulate behavior, development, and physiology are being defined.