An olfactory-interneuron circuit that drives stress-induced avoidance behavior in C. elegans

Physiological stress represents a drastic change of internal state and can drive avoidance behavior, but the neural circuits are incompletely defined. Here, we characterize a sensory-interneuron circuit for mitochondrial stressinduced avoidance behavior in C. elegans. The olfactory sensory neurons and the AIY interneuron are essential, with the olfactory neurons acting upstream of AIY. Unlike pathogen avoidance, stress-induced avoidance does not require AIB, AIZ or RIA interneurons. Ablation or inhibition of the head motor neurons SMDD/V alters the worm's locomotion and reduces avoidance. These findings substantiate our understanding of the circuit mechanisms that underlie learned avoidance behavior triggered by mitochondrial stress.

Automated summary

In this study, a sensory-interneuron circuit for mitochondrial stress-induced avoidance behavior in C. elegans was characterized. Olfactory sensory neurons and the AIY interneuron were found to be essential, with olfactory neurons acting upstream of AIY. Unlike pathogen avoidance, stress-induced avoidance did not require AIB, AIZ, or RIA interneurons. Ablation or inhibition of the head motor neurons SMDD/V altered worm locomotion and reduced avoidance. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neural circuit mechanisms underlying learned avoidance behavior triggered by mitochondrial stress.