Dynamic Regulation of Adult-Specific Functions of the Nervous System by Signaling from the Reproductive System
Dynamic Regulation of Adult-Specific Functions of the Nervous System by Signaling from the Reproductive System
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DOI：
10.1016/j.cub.2019.10.011
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发表时间：
2019-12-02
期刊：
影响因子：
9.2
通讯作者：
Ruvinsky, Ilya
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Aprison, Erin Z.;Ruvinsky, Ilya
与未成年动物不同，成年动物从事与寻找和选择潜在配偶和交配有关的一系列行为，包括对性信息素的适当反应。与其他物种一样，雄性信息素调节着果蝇的多种行为和生理过程。elegans hermaphrodites [2 - 5].特别是，这些小分子信号之一，Ascaroside ascr #10，导致探索减少，更热衷于交配，并改善生殖性能（见Aparrest和Ruvinsky在本期《当代生物学》中的随附论文）[6]。在这里，我们调查的机制，限制信息素反应的成年雌雄同体。出乎意料的是，我们发现，仅仅达到发育成熟期并不足以对信息素产生行为反应。为了改变探索行为以回应雄性信息素，成年雌雄同体还需要功能性的生殖细胞和产卵器官。我们表明，这种行为对生殖系统的依赖是由于来自外阴肌肉的反馈，这些肌肉向神经系统报告正在进行的生殖。我们的研究结果揭示了一个依赖于活动的管道，生殖系统不断许可成人的行为，包括适当的反应，异性的信息素。更广泛地说，我们的研究结果表明，来自外周器官的信号可能是确保神经系统与年龄相适应的功能的重要组成部分。
Unlike juveniles, adult animals engage in suites of behaviors related to the search for and selection of potential mates and mating, including appropriate responses to sex pheromones. As in other species [1], male sex pheromones modulate several behaviors and physiological processes in C. elegans hermaphrodites [2-5]. In particular, one of these small-molecule signals, an ascaroside ascr#10, causes reduced exploration, more avid mating, and improved reproductive performance (see the accompanying paper by Aprison and Ruvinsky in this issue of Current Biology) [6]. Here, we investigated the mechanism that restricts pheromone response to adult hermaphrodites. Unexpectedly, we found that attainment of developmental adulthood was not alone sufficient for the behavioral response to the pheromone. To modify exploratory behavior in response to male pheromone, adult hermaphrodites also require functional germline and egg-laying apparatus. We show that this dependence of behavior on the reproductive system is due to feedback from the vulva muscles that reports ongoing reproduction to the nervous system. Our results reveal an activity-dependent conduit by which the reproductive system continuously licenses adult behaviors, including appropriate responses to the pheromones of the opposite sex. More broadly, our results suggest that signals from peripheral organs may serve as an important component of assuring age-appropriate functions of the nervous system.