Imaging the function, plasticity and development of sensory circuits











       


Genetic analysis of behaviour has provided imporant insights into the mechanisms underlying behaviors such as touch avoidance and habituation. However, to fully understand these processes at the molecular and cellular level, it is necessary to determine how specific gene products affect the activity of identified neurons, and to correlate the activity of these neurons with behaviour. We have recently developed methods that have allowed us to detect and measure the activites of touch receptor neurons in response to sensory stimulation using the genetically-encoded indicator cameleon. We are now using these imaging techniques in combination with traditional C. elegans genetics to investigate the function, plasticity and development of mechanosensory circuits. We have also begun using similar approaches to investigate polymodal nociceptors, which sense aversive mechanical as well as chemical and osmotic stimuli
       











       




 



       



Movies:




       



Mechanical stimulation of body touch






       
           




       











       
Movie of ALM neuron responding to mechanical stimulation




       











       
           




       











       

   

Recent papers:

Touch:

Suzuki H, Kerr R, Bianchi L, Frøkjær-Jensen C, Slone D, Xue J, Gerstbrein B, Driscoll M, Schafer WR. (2003) "In vivo functional analysis of C. elegans mechanosensory neurons reveals a specific role for MEC-4 channels in the process of gentle touch transduction" Neuron 39: 1005-1017.

Frøkjær-Jensen C, Kindt KS, Kerr RA, Suzuki H, Melnik-Martinez K, Gerstbrein B, Driscoll M, Schafer WR (2006) "Effects of voltage-gated calcium channel subunit genes on calcium influx in cultured C. elegans mechanosensory neurons" J. Neurobiol. 66: 1125-1139 Epub 2006 Jul 11

Sanyal S, Wintle RF, Kindt K, Nuttley WM, Arvan R, Fitzmaurice P, Bigras E, Merz D, Hebert TE, van der Kooy D, Schafer WR, Culotti JG and Van Tol HHM. (2004) "Dopamine modulates the plasticity of mechanosensory responses in C. elegans" EMBO Journal 23: 473-482.

Kindt KS, Tam T, Whiteman S, Schafer WR. (2002) "Serotonin promotes Go/Gq-mediated neuronal migration in Caenorhabditis elegans" Curr. Biol. 12: 1738-1747.

 

  





       


 






       


           

       










       


           

       










       


           

       










       

               
       



 






       

Nociception and chemosensation:

Hilliard MA, Apicella AJ, Kerr R, Suzuki H, Bazzicalupo P, Schafer WR. (2005) "In vivo imaging of C. elegans ASH neurons: cellular response and adaptation to chemical repellents" EMBO Journal 24: 63-72. Epub 2004 Dec 02.

Kahn-Kirby AH, Dantzker JLM, Apicella AJ, Schafer WR, Browse J, Bargmann CI, Watts JL (2004) "Specific polyunsaturated fatty acids drive TRPV-dependent sensory signaling in vivo" Cell 19: 889-900.

Fukuto HS, Ferkey DM, Apicella AJ, Lans H, Sharmeen T, Chen W, Lefkowitz RJ, Jansen G, Schafer WR, Hart AC. (2004) "G Protein-coupled receptor kinase function is essential for chemosensation in C. elegans" Neuron 42: 581-593.

Tomioka M, Adachi T, Suzuki H, Kunitomo H, Schafer WR, Iino Y (2006) "The insulin/PI3 –kinase pathway regulates salt chemotaxis learning in Caenorhabditis elegans" Neuron 51: 613-626.