A circuit for navigation in Caenorhabditis elegans

2005/02/02 by Jesse Gray, Joseph J. Hill, Cornelia I. Bargmann · 1 voice · 7 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · #Circadian rhythm and melatonin #Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms #Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies

paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.0409009101

openalex publication_date 2005/02/02 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans explores its environment by interrupting its forward movement with occasional turns and reversals. Turns and reversals occur at stable frequencies but irregular intervals, producing probabilistic exploratory behaviors. Here we dissect the roles of individual sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons in exploratory behaviors under different conditions. After animals are removed from bacterial food, they initiate a local search behavior consisting of reversals and deep omega-shaped turns triggered by AWC olfactory neurons, ASK gustatory neurons, and AIB interneurons. Over the following 30 min, the animals disperse as reversals and omega turns are suppressed by ASI gustatory neurons and AIY interneurons. Interneurons and motor neurons downstream of AIB and AIY encode specific aspects of reversal and turn frequency, amplitude, and directionality. SMD motor neurons help encode the steep amplitude of omega turns, RIV motor neurons specify the ventral bias of turns that follow a reversal, and SMB motor neurons set the amplitude of sinusoidal movement. Many of these sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons are also implicated in chemotaxis and thermotaxis. Thus, this circuit may represent a common substrate for multiple navigation behaviors.

Citations

• The structure of the nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
• Chemosensory neurons with overlapping functions direct chemotaxis to multiple chemicals in C. elegans
• C. elegans: des neurones et des gènes

Cited by

• Guided Graph Spectral Embedding: Application to the C. elegans\n Connectome
• Capturing the Continuous Complexity of Behavior in C. elegans
• Dissection of Behavioral Components and the Role of Omega/Delta Turns for the Chemotaxis of C. elegans
• Evolution of sustained foraging in 3D environments with physics
• Analysis of structure and dynamics in three-neuron motifs
• Turning away from danger
• Sonogenetics is a non-invasive approach to activating neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans

Discussions

• We also want to thank the anonymous reviewer for suggesting the reversal assay to test ASI (doi.org/10.1073/pnas...), which was a great suggestion, and Science Advances for letting us have enough spac [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]