An olfactory-interneuron circuit that drives stress-induced avoidance behavior in C. elegans. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Yen-Ju; Pan, Chun-Liang
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience research. Volume 191(2023)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: C. elegans -- Aversive memory -- Mitochondria -- Stress -- Neural circuit -- Avoidance behavior; Neurosciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Research -- Japan -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Neurosciences -- Recherche -- Japon -- Périodiques; Neurosciences -- Research; Japan; Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.12.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-0102

Abstract

Abstract: Physiological stress represents a drastic change of internal state and can drive avoidance behavior, but the neural circuits are incompletely defined. Here, we characterize a sensory-interneuron circuit for mitochondrial stress-induced avoidance behavior in C. elegans . The olfactory sensory neurons and the AIY interneuron are essential, with the olfactory neurons acting upstream of AIY. Unlike pathogen avoidance, stress-induced avoidance does not require AIB, AIZ or RIA interneurons. Ablation or inhibition of the head motor neurons SMDD/V alters the worm's locomotion and reduces avoidance. These findings substantiate our understanding of the circuit mechanisms that underlie learned avoidance behavior triggered by mitochondrial stress. Highlights: Stress-induced learned bacterial avoidance requires olfaction. AIY interneurons regulate bacterial avoidance induced by mitochondrial stress. AIB, AIZ and RIA neurons are dispensable for stress-induced avoidance. Circuits for stress- and pathogen-induced avoidance are different.