Distinct neuropeptide-receptor modules regulate a sex-specific behavioral response to a pheromone.
Commun Biol
; 4(1): 1018, 2021 08 31.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34465863
Dioecious species are a hallmark of the animal kingdom, with opposing sexes responding differently to identical sensory cues. Here, we study the response of C. elegans to the small-molecule pheromone, ascr#8, which elicits opposing behavioral valences in each sex. We identify a novel neuropeptide-neuropeptide receptor (NP/NPR) module that is active in males, but not in hermaphrodites. Using a novel paradigm of neuropeptide rescue that we established, we leverage bacterial expression of individual peptides to rescue the sex-specific response to ascr#8. Concurrent biochemical studies confirmed individual FLP-3 peptides differentially activate two divergent receptors, NPR-10 and FRPR-16. Interestingly, the two of the peptides that rescued behavior in our feeding paradigm are related through a conserved threonine, suggesting that a specific NP/NPR combination sets a male state, driving the correct behavioral valence of the ascr#8 response. Receptor expression within pre-motor neurons reveals novel coordination of male-specific and core locomotory circuitries.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Caenorhabditis elegans
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Receptores de Neuropeptídeos
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Organismos Hermafroditas
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Locomoção
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Commun Biol
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos