neuropeptide NLP-27 enhances neurodegeneration and paralysis in an opioid-like manner during fungal infection.

The nervous system of metazoans is involved in host-pathogen interactions to control immune activation. In , this includes sleep induction, mediated by neuropeptide-like proteins (NLPs), which increases the chance of survival after wounding. Here we analyzed the role of NLP-27 in the infection of with the nematode-trapping fungus Early responses of were the upregulation of , the induction of paralysis (sleep), and neurodegeneration of the mechanosensing PVD (Posterior Ventral Process D) neurons.