Mechanisms of Sensory Processing in C.elegans Neuronal Circuits.

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Animals sense variety of environmental stimuli in sensory neurons, simultaneously. This sensory information is processed in central nervous systems to regulate their behavior. In this study, we investigated mechanisms of the sensory processing by using C.elegans as a model organism. We identified signaling pathways to regulate the sensory integration and neuronal circuits where those pathways function. To elucidate the regulation of the memory retention, we isolated mutants showing longer memory retention and thereby identified a signaling pathway that regulates the memory retention. We found that the germline signals regulate the olfactory response. By using this phenomenon, we isolated a mutant defective in the regulation. In addition, we elucidated the function of signaling pathways for the olfactory sensation and behavioral plasticity.