Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans cholinergic system by food deprivation and octopamine.

Effects of food deprivation and octopamine on the sensitivity of behavior of nematode C. elegans to agonist of nAChRs levamisole and partial inhibition of ACh-esterase by aldicarb were investigated. Either food deprivation or octopamine caused sensitization of swimming as induced by mechanical stimulus to aldicarb and levamisole action, which was revealed in disturbances of coordination of muscles necessary for swimming. These results show that both food deprivation and exogenous octopamine caused activation of C. elegans cholinergic system. The joint action of food deprivation and octopamine revealed their additive effects. Therefore, food deprivation caused adaptive activation of cholinergic system via nonidentified mechanism independently from octopamine secretion. Activation of cholinergic system by food deprivation may be an adaptive reaction of C. elegans nervous system necessary for movement speed elevation to avoid local unfavorable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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