Neuronal detection triggers systemic digestive shutdown in response to adverse food sources in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>.

ABSTRACT: The ability to sense and adapt to adverse food conditions is essential for survival across species, but the detailed mechanisms of neuron-digestive crosstalk in food sensing and adaptation remain poorly understood. Here, we identify a novel mechanism by which Caenorhabditis elegans detect unfavorable food sources through neurons and initiate a systemic response to shut down digestion, thus safeguarding against potential harm. Specifically, we demonstrate that NSY-1, expressed in AWC neurons, detects Staphylococcus saprophyticus (SS) as an unfavorable food source, prompting the animal to avoid and halt digestion of SS. Upon detection, the animals activate the AWC^OFF neural circuit, leading to a systemic digestive shutdown, which is mediated by NSY-1-dependent STR-13

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12494379 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature