SLO potassium channels antagonize premature decision making in C. elegans

Abstract

SummaryAnimals have to modify their behavior at the right timing to respond to changes in environments. Yet, the molecular and neural mechanisms regulating the timing of behavioral transition remain largely unknown. Performing forward genetics on a plasticity of thermotaxis behavior in C. elegans, we demonstrated that SLO potassium channels together with a cyclic nucleotide-gated channel CNG-3 determine the timing of the transition of temperature preference after shift of cultivation temperature. We further revealed that SLO and CNG-3 channels regulate the alteration in responsiveness of thermosensory neurons. Our results suggest that the regulation of sensory adaptation is a major determinant of the latency for animals to make decisions in changing behavior.\n\nHighlightsO_LISlo-1 and SLO-2 K+ channels decelerated transition of temperature preference in thermotaxis behavior after upshift of cultivation temperature\nC_LIO_LISLO K+ channels slowed down the adaptation of AFD thermosensory neuron to new cultivation temperature\nC_LIO_LIA cyclic nucleotide-gated channel CNG-3 functioned together with SLO-2\nC_LIO_LIThermotaxis serves as could be a model system for early onset epilepsies\nC_LI