Quiescence Enhances Survival during Viral Infection in .

Infection causes reduced activity, anorexia, and sleep, which are components of the phylogenetically conserved but poorly understood sickness behavior. We developed a model to study quiescence during chronic infection, using infection with the Orsay virus. The Orsay virus infects intestinal cells yet strongly affects behavior, indicating gut-to-nervous system communication.

The RFamide receptor DMSR-1 regulates stress-induced sleep in .

In response to environments that cause cellular stress, animals engage in sleep behavior that facilitates recovery from the stress. In , stress-induced sleep(SIS) is regulated by cytokine activation of the ALA neuron, which releases FLP-13 neuropeptides characterized by an amidated arginine-phenylalanine (RFamide) C-terminus motif. By performing an unbiased genetic screen for mutants that impair the somnogenic effects of FLP-13 neuropeptides, we identified the gene , which encodes a G-protein coupled receptor similar to an insect RFamide receptor.

Sleep: How Many Switches Does It Take To Turn Off the Lights?

Sleeping animals do not move or feed and are less responsive. In Caenorhabditis elegans, a single neuron triggers sleep. A recent study shows that the neuron releases several neuropeptides - each with distinct sleep behavioral effects - to promote the collection of behaviors that is sleep.