Open Accessskn-1 is required for interneuron sensory integration and foraging behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans
Author(s) -
Mark A. Wilson,
Wendy B. Iser,
Tae Gen Son,
Anne Logie,
João Victor CabralCosta,
Mark P. Mattson,
Simonetta Camandola
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0176798
Subject(s) - caenorhabditis elegans , biology , interneuron , neuroscience , sensory system , transcription factor , sensory cue , foraging , multisensory integration , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , genetics , gene , inhibitory postsynaptic potential
Nrf2/ skn-1 , a transcription factor known to mediate adaptive responses of cells to stress, also regulates energy metabolism in response to changes in nutrient availability. The ability to locate food sources depends upon chemosensation. Here we show that Nrf2/ skn-1 is expressed in olfactory interneurons, and is required for proper integration of multiple food-related sensory cues in Caenorhabditis elegans . Compared to wild type worms, skn-1 mutants fail to perceive that food density is limiting, and display altered chemo- and thermotactic responses. These behavioral deficits are associated with aberrant AIY interneuron morphology and migration in skn-1 mutants. Both skn-1 -dependent AIY autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms regulate the neural circuitry underlying multisensory integration of environmental cues related to energy acquisition.