Neuromedin U signaling regulates retrieval of learned salt avoidance in a C. elegans gustatory circuit

Humanity has always been intrigued by the nearly mythical properties ofthe brain. With its billions of neurons and innumerable connections, the human brain is of such a complex nature, that trying to understand it may seem a vain project. Yet, by using the 'mini-brain' of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, which shares many molecular components with the human brain but counts only 302 neurons, thorough research can penetrate into this complexity. We here pursue to contribute to a much-needed understanding of how learning and memory processes are regulated by neuropeptide signalling in the brain. Neuropeptides are small regulatory proteins that activate specific G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are implicated in a variety of processes. Growing evidence exists for their involvement in learning and memory, but how they exert these effects is largely unexplored. Using the C. elegans genetic toolbox we will explore whether particular evolutionary conserved neuropeptide receptors belonging to the Neuromedin U- and short-Neuropeptide F- families are involved in the modulation of associative learning behaviour. The neuropeptide ligand(s) for the involved neuropeptide GPCR(s) will be identified, as well as the underlying cellular circuit(s). Once identified, these neuronal cells will be temporarily silenced using optogenetic techniques combined with the behavioural paradigm. This way, we hope to reveal in which aspects of memory storage and retrieval the identified neurons are involved.

Jaar van publicatie:2020

Toegankelijkheid:Closed