Promotion of behavior and neuronal function by reactive oxygen species in C. elegans

Guang Li, Jianke Gong, Haoyun Lei, Jianfeng Liu () and X. Z. Shawn Xu ()
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Guang Li: College of Life Science and Technology, Collective Innovation Center for Brain Science and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jianke Gong: College of Life Science and Technology, Collective Innovation Center for Brain Science and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Haoyun Lei: College of Life Science and Technology, Collective Innovation Center for Brain Science and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jianfeng Liu: College of Life Science and Technology, Collective Innovation Center for Brain Science and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of MOE, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
X. Z. Shawn Xu: Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are well known to elicit a plethora of detrimental effects on cellular functions by causing damages to proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to ROS, and nearly all forms of neurodegenerative diseases are associated with oxidative stress. Here, we report the surprising finding that exposing C. elegans to low doses of H2O2 promotes, rather than compromises, sensory behavior and the function of sensory neurons such as ASH. This beneficial effect of H2O2 is mediated by an evolutionarily conserved peroxiredoxin-p38/MAPK signaling cascade. We further show that p38/MAPK signals to AKT and the TRPV channel OSM-9, a sensory channel in ASH neurons. AKT phosphorylates OSM-9, and such phosphorylation is required for H2O2-induced potentiation of sensory behavior and ASH neuron function. Our results uncover a beneficial effect of ROS on neurons, revealing unexpected complexity of the action of oxidative stressors in the nervous system.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13234

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