Genetic analysis of crawling and swimming locomotory patterns in C. elegans

Pierce-Shimomura, J. T. , Chen, B. L. , Mun, J. J. , Ho, R., Sarkis, R., McIntire, S. L. (December 2008) Genetic analysis of crawling and swimming locomotory patterns in C. elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 105 (52). pp. 20982-20987.

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URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19074276
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0810359105

Abstract

Alternative patterns of neural activity drive different rhythmic locomotory patterns in both invertebrates and mammals. The neuro-molecular mechanisms responsible for the expression of rhythmic behavioral patterns are poorly understood. Here we show that Caenorhabditis elegans switches between distinct forms of locomotion, or crawling versus swimming, when transitioning between solid and liquid environments. These forms of locomotion are distinguished by distinct kinematics and different underlying patterns of neuromuscular activity, as determined by in vivo calcium imaging. The expression of swimming versus crawling rhythms is regulated by sensory input. In a screen for mutants that are defective in transitioning between crawl and swim behavior, we identified unc-79 and unc-80, two mutants known to be defective in NCA ion channel stabilization. Genetic and behavioral analyses suggest that the NCA channels enable the transition to rapid rhythmic behaviors in C. elegans. unc-79, unc-80, and the NCA channels represent a conserved set of genes critical for behavioral pattern generation.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: neural rhythms neurogenetics sodium leak channel
Subjects: organism description > animal > C elegans
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics
organism description > animal
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > genes, structure and function
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Chklovskii lab
School of Biological Sciences > Publications
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 30 December 2008
Date Deposited: 26 Feb 2013 20:52
Last Modified: 08 Nov 2017 20:53
PMCID: PMC2634943
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/27531

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