An olfactory-interneuron circuit that drives stress-induced avoidance behavior in C. elegans
Journal
Neuroscience research
Journal Volume
191
Pages
91
Date Issued
2023-06
Author(s)
Chen, Yen-Ju
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.
Subjects
Aversive memory; Avoidance behavior; C. elegans; Mitochondria; Neural circuit; Stress
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Type
journal article