Regulation of the grow rate by the nervous system

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870126
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Developmental biology; Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: Saitama Medical University (2015-2016); The University of Tokyo (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Suo Satoshi 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (20596845)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: サイズ / 成長速度 / ドーパミン / オクトパミン / C. elegans / 神経伝達物質 / 受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Animal body size is regulated by their environment and the nervous system plays a critical role in this regulation. However, the specific neurotransmitter signaling that regulates body size is not well-understood. In this study, we show that an amine neurotransmitter dopamine negatively regulates body size through a D2-like dopamine receptor, DOP-3, in C. elegans. Dopamine regulates body size through the suppression of signaling by octopamine and Gq-coupled octopamine receptors, SER-3 and SER-6. The body size regulation by dopamine also requires the insulin/IGF receptor DAF-2, suggesting that insulin/IGF signaling works downstream of dopamine. In C. elegans, dopamine is required for the tactile perception of food. Our results demonstrate that dopamine and octopamine regulate the body size of C. elegans and suggest a potential role for perception in addition to ingestion of food for growth.

Free Research Field

神経科学