行動を規定する神経回路動態の分子神経生物学 Molecular Neurobiology of neural circuits regulating a memory-based behavior in C. elegans

AL3 行動を規定する神経回路動態の分子神経生物学 Molecular Neurobiology of neural circuits regulating a memory-based behavior in C. elegans ○森郁恵1 ○Ikue Mori1 名古屋大学大学院理学研究科生命理学専攻1 "Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science Faculty of Science, Nagoya University1" Unveiling the principle mechanisms underlying high-order brain functions, such as cognition, learning and memory, is a major challenge in neuroscience. Although the massive information is processed in neural circuits of the brain, it remains understood how each information flow communicates between neurons in the circuits, thus regulating behavior. We are using thermotaxis of the nematode C. elegans to delineate information processing during learning and memory at molecular, cellular and circuit levels. Our recent calcium imaging and optogenetics studies on neurons and the circuit revealed several important properties of neurons and neuronal connections. A thermosensory neuron appears to remember the cultivation temperature, and the temperature information is transmitted to the downstream interneurons to associate with the feeding state, leading to the regulation of motorneurons. Glutamate signals from two distinct sensory neurons AFD and AWC affect the same postsynaptic interneuron AIY, thereby producing the opposite behaviors. Similarly, the thermosensory neuron AFD transmits both stimulatory and inhibitory signals to a single interneuron AIY, depending on the activity of AFD neuron. Further comprehensive analysis on the thermotactic memory circuits should provide the first avenue to functional connectome, whereby helping understand the complex neural circuits of the mammalian brain.

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