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FASEB J

Title:		The role of Caenorhabditis elegans insulin-like signaling in the behavioral avoidance of pathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis
Author(s):		Hasshoff M; Bohnisch C; Tonn D; Hasert B; Schulenburg H;
Address:		"Institute for Animal Evolution and Ecology, Westfalische Wilhelms-University, Munster, Germany"
Journal Title:		FASEB J
Year:		2007
Volume:		20070221
Issue:		8
Page Number:		1801 - 1812
DOI:		10.1096/fj.06-6551com
ISSN/ISBN:		1530-6860 (Electronic) 0892-6638 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Pathogens cause damage, and their elimination requires activation of the costly immune response. A highly economic defense strategy should thus be the behavioral avoidance of pathogens, as manifested in humans by all aspects of hygiene or revulsion at pathogen-rich material. Despite its potential importance, behavioral defenses have as yet received only little attention in biomedical research--in stark contrast to the physiological immune system. In the present study, the genetics of such behavioral defenses are elucidated in a simple model organism, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We show for the first time that mutations in the insulin-like receptor (ILR) pathway lead to two distinct behavioral responses against pathogenic strains of the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), including the physical evasion of pathogens and their reduced oral uptake. Since this pathway also contributes to nematode stress resistance, the results surprisingly reveal a genetic link between physiological and behavioral defenses. Considering that many signaling pathways have conserved their functions across evolution, including the ILR pathway, this signaling cascade may represent an interesting candidate regulator for behavioral defenses in more complex organisms, including humans"
Keywords:		"Adaptation, Physiological/genetics/*immunology Animals Bacillus thuringiensis/*pathogenicity Caenorhabditis elegans/*physiology Escape Reaction Models, Animal Mutation/physiology *Pheromones Receptors, Somatomedin/genetics/metabolism/*physiology *Signal T;"
Notes:		"MedlineHasshoff, Martin Bohnisch, Claudia Tonn, Daniela Hasert, Barbara Schulenburg, Hinrich eng Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2007/02/23 FASEB J. 2007 Jun; 21(8):1801-12. doi: 10.1096/fj.06-6551com. Epub 2007 Feb 21"