Brain-wide bidirectional neuropeptide modulation of individual neuron classes regulates a developmental decision.

Secreted neuromodulators, like biogenic amines and neuropeptides, can reconfigure circuit functions both locally and at a distance and establish global brain states that alter circuit outputs over prolonged timescales. Despite their diversity and ubiquitous presence, many studies on neuromodulation tend to focus on dissecting the function and site of action of individual neuropeptides. Here, we take a different approach by conducting a systems-level investigation of neuropeptide receptor signaling function and cell-type-specific distribution in the context of the Caenorhabditis elegans diapause entry developmental decision.

Interneuron control of C. elegans developmental decision-making.

Natural environments are highly dynamic, and this complexity challenges animals to accurately integrate external cues to shape their responses. Adaptive developmental plasticity enables organisms to remodel their physiology, morphology, and behavior to better suit the predicted future environment and ultimately enhance their ecological success. Understanding how an animal generates a neural representation of current and forecasted environmental conditions and converts these circuit computations into a predictive adaptive physiological response may provide fundamental insights into the molecular and cellular basis of decision-making over developmentally relevant timescales.

Genetic reduction of tyramine β hydroxylase suppresses Tau toxicity in a Drosophila model of tauopathy.

Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the abnormal phosphorylation and accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein, Tau. These diseases are associated with degeneration and dysfunction of the noradrenergic system, a critical regulator of memory, locomotion, and the fight or flight response. Though Tau pathology accumulates early in noradrenergic neurons, the relationship between noradrenaline signaling and tauopathy pathogenesis remains unclear.

Automated Analysis of a Nematode Population-based Chemosensory Preference Assay.

The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans' compact nervous system of only 302 neurons underlies a diverse repertoire of behaviors. To facilitate the dissection of the neural circuits underlying these behaviors, the development of robust and reproducible behavioral assays is necessary. Previous C.

cGAL, a temperature-robust GAL4-UAS system for Caenorhabditis elegans.

The GAL4-UAS system is a powerful tool for manipulating gene expression, but its application in Caenorhabditis elegans has not been described. Here we systematically optimize the system's three main components to develop a temperature-optimized GAL4-UAS system (cGAL) that robustly controls gene expression in C. elegans from 15 to 25 °C.