Abstract
Experiences during early development can influence neuronal functions and modulate adult behaviors [1, 2]. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the long-term behavioral effects of these early experiences are not fully understood. The C. elegans ascr#3 (asc-ΔC9; C9) pheromone triggers avoidance behavior in adult hermaphrodites [3–7]. Here, we show that hermaphrodites that are briefly exposed to ascr#3 immediately after birth exhibit increased ascr#3-specific avoidance as adults, indicating that ascr#3-experienced animals form a long-lasting memory or imprint of this early ascr#3 exposure [8]. ascr#3 imprinting is mediated by increased synaptic activity between the ascr#3-sensing ADL neurons and their post-synaptic SMB motor neuron partners via increased expression of the odr-2 glycosylated phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked signaling gene in the SMB neurons. Our study suggests that the memory for early ascr#3 experience is imprinted via alteration of activity of a single synaptic connection, which in turn shapes experience-dependent plasticity in adult ascr#3 responses. Hong et al. show that early pheromone experience in C. elegans hermaphrodites is imprinted via alteration of activity of a single synaptic connection and, in turn, modulates behavioral responses to the pheromone as adults.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3168-3177.e3 |
Journal | Current Biology |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 20 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 23 2017 |
Keywords
- GPI-anchored protein
- neuronal activity
- pheromone
- sensory imprinting
- synapse
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences