title: Sensation in a single neuron pair represses male behavior in hermaphrodites.
abstract: Pheromones elicit innate sex-specific mating behaviors in many species. We demonstrate that in C. elegans, male-specific sexual attraction behavior is programmed in both sexes but repressed in hermaphrodites. Repression requires a single sensory neuron pair, the ASIs. To repress attraction in adults, the ASIs must be present, active, and capable of sensing the environment during development. The ASIs release TGF-β, and ASI function can be bypassed by experimental activation of TGF-β signaling. Sexual attraction in derepressed hermaphrodites requires the same sensory neurons as in males. The sexual identity of both these sensory neurons and a distinct subset of interneurons must be male to relieve repression and release attraction. TGF-β may therefore act to change connections between sensory neurons and interneurons during development to engage repression. Thus, sensation in a single sensory neuron pair during development reprograms a common neural circuit from male to female behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0840, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Erik M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000494:pharmacology; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000494:pharmacology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; C102095:DAF-7 protein, C elegans; D010675:Pheromones; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta