Abstract
Animals alter their behavioral patterns in an experience-dependent manner. Olfactory imprinting is a process in which the exposure of animals to olfactory cues during specific and restricted time windows leaves a permanent memory ("olfactory imprint") that shapes the animal's behavior upon encountering the olfactory cues at later times. We found that Caenorhabditis elegans displays olfactory imprinting behavior that is mediated by a single pair of interneurons. To function in olfactory imprinting, this interneuron pair must express a G protein-coupled chemoreceptor family member encoded by the sra-11 gene. Our study provides insights into the cellular and molecular basis of olfactory imprinting and reveals a function for a chemosensory receptor family member in interneurons.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Benzaldehydes
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
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Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / physiology*
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Cues
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Food
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Genes, Helminth
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Genes, Homeobox
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Interneurons / physiology*
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Memory / physiology
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Movement
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Neurons, Afferent / physiology
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Odorants*
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Oviposition
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / physiology*
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Serotonin / pharmacology
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Smell / physiology*
Substances
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Benzaldehydes
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
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SRA-11 protein, C elegans
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Serotonin
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benzaldehyde