Functional analysis of the novel neuropeptide genes involved in the refinement of the neural circuits

将各种外部信号解释为定义的神经功能在神经功能的细化中起着重要作用。外界信号如何促进有效的神经系统的形成，支持对复杂刺激的适当行为反应的转换，还有很多问题有待于了解。Planarians表现出对来自外部的信号做出反应的行为，例如光回避行为，并且即使在斩首后，神经系统也可以再生，并且其功能完全恢复，因为Planarians具有非凡的再生能力。我们分析了在脑再生过程中行为恢复的分子机制，使用RNAi和行为分析在涡虫。在这里，我们表明，新的神经肽有助于恢复适当的趋光行为，通过调节光识别过程中的脑再生。

A variety of external signals interpreted into defined neural functions play important role in refinement in the neural function. Much remains to be understood how external signals contribute the formation of the efficient neural system that supporting the transformation of the appropriate behavioral response against complicated stimulus. Planarians display behaviors responsive to signals coming from outside such as light avoidance behavior, and the nervous system can be regenerated and its function completely restored even after decapitated, since the extraordinary regenerative capacity of planarians. We analyzed the molecular mechanisms of behavioral recovery during brain regeneration using RNAi and a behavioral assay in the planarian. Here we show that the novel neuropeptides contribute to the restitution of the proper phototactic behavior by modulating the photorecognition during brain regeneration.