Concentration memory-dependent synaptic plasticity of a taste circuit regulates salt concentration chemotaxis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Hirofumi Kunitomo, Hirofumi Sato, Ryo Iwata, Yohsuke Satoh, Hayao Ohno, Koji Yamada and Yuichi Iino ()
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Hirofumi Kunitomo: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Hirofumi Sato: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Ryo Iwata: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Yohsuke Satoh: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Hayao Ohno: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Koji Yamada: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku
Yuichi Iino: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract It is poorly understood how sensory systems memorize the intensity of sensory stimulus, compare it with a newly sensed stimulus, and regulate the orientation behaviour based on the memory. Here we report that Caenorhabditis elegans memorizes the environmental salt concentration during cultivation and exhibits a strong behavioural preference for this concentration. The right-sided amphid gustatory neuron known as ASER, senses decreases in salt concentration, and this information is transmitted to the postsynaptic AIB interneurons only in the salt concentration range lower than the cultivation concentration. In this range, animals migrate towards higher concentration by promoting turning behaviour upon decreases in salt concentration. These observations provide a mechanism for adjusting the orientation behaviour based on the memory of sensory stimulus using a simple neural circuit.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3210

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