Neuropeptides are one of the major signals that are used by neurons to modulate behavior and physiology, and neuropeptide receptors are important therapeutic targets for the treatment of disease. This proposal explores neuropeptide signaling in the nematode C. elegans in two parts. In the first part (Specific Aim 1), I propose a series of experiments that will elucidate the neural circuit regulated by vasotocin, a novel C. elegans ortholog of the mammalian neuropeptides vasopressin and oxytocin. These experiments aim to define the minimal components of a neuropeptidergic circuit that regulates behavior in a model organism. In the second part (Specific Aims 2 and 3), I describe the development of two new approaches for the cell-specific analysis of neuropeptide signaling in the worm. The first technique will enable the blockade of all neuropeptide production within a single cell (Specific Aim 2) and the second will enable the genome-wide profiling of neuropeptide translation within single neurons in the mature nervous system (Specific Aim 3). I further describe how I will apply these technologies to test hypotheses about two circuits that are believed to utilize neuropeptide signaling, but for which the specific neuropeptide mediators remain enigmatic: the regulation of thermotaxis by AFD neurons and the regulation of longevity by ASI neurons.

Public Health Relevance

Neuropeptide signaling is an important mechanism that regulates physiology and behavior, and neuropeptides have been linked to human diseases ranging from psychiatric disorders to diabetes. Our studies aim to uncover the complex network of neurons and genes that control neuropeptide signaling in an experimentally tractable model organism, C. elegans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Transition Award (R00)
Project #
5R00GM092859-04
Application #
8725186
Study Section
No Study Section (in-house review) (NSS)
Program Officer
Sesma, Michael A
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2016-07-31
Budget Start
2014-08-01
Budget End
2015-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Buck Institute for Age Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Novato
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94945