Identification of interneurons required for the aversive response of Caenorhabditis elegans to graphene oxide

Abstract

BackgroundSo far, how the animals evade the environmental nanomaterials is still largely unclear. In this study, we employed in vivo assay system of Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate the aversive behavior of nematodes to graphene oxide (GO) and the underlying neuronal basis.ResultsIn this assay model, we detected the significant aversive behavior of nematodes to GO at concentrations more than 50 mg/L. Loss-of-function mutation of nlg-1 encoding a neuroligin with the function in connecting pre- and post-synaptic neurons suppressed the aversive behavior of nematodes to GO. Moreover, based on the neuron-specific activity assay, we found that the NLG-1 activity in AIY or AIB interneurons was required for the regulation of aversive behavior to GO. The neuron-specific activities of NLG-1 in AIY or AIB interneurons were also required for the regulation of GO toxicity.ConclusionsUsing nlg-1 mutant as a genetic tool, we identified the AIY and AIB interneurons required for the regulation of aversive behavior to GO. Our results provide an important neuronal basis for the aversive response of animals to environmental nanomaterials.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12951-018-0373-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Improved Biocompatibility of Amino‐Functionalized Graphene Oxide in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Acute treatment did not result in any defects in the measured phenotypes but, curiously, we detected a mobility increase. This trait could be an aversion response, or fight‐and‐flight response, similarly observed upon exposure to pathogenic bacteria, indicating that worms can sense GO material . The C. elegans intestine acts as a barrier to environmental toxins, metals, nanomaterials or pathogens, and it is instrumental for implementing a systemic innate immune response .…”

“…This trait could be an aversion response, or fight-and-flight response, similarly observed upon exposure to pathogenic bacteria, [70] indicating that worms can sense GO material. [71] The C. elegans intestine acts as a barrier to environmental toxins, metals, nanomaterials or pathogens, [46,65,72] and it is instrumental for implementing a systemic innate immune response. [73] Our genome-wide RNA-Seq data of acutely GO-treated animals showed an induced expression of innate immune response genes, which significantly, albeit mildly positive correlated with gene expression data obtained from C. elegans that encountered pathogenic PA14 bacteria.…”

Electroactive Scaffolds for Neurogenesis and Myogenesis: Graphene‐Based Nanomaterials

“…Graphite, GQDs, and especially GO nanoplatelets induced behavioral deficits and damages in dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurons in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , and several antimicrobial proteins related to insulin signaling pathways were found to be activated . Similarly, GO undertaken by zebrafish could be transferred to the offspring brain, resulting in more predominant neurotoxicity in the offspring than in the parental zebrafish .…”

Recent advances in the ultraviolet protection finishing of textiles

“…Despite being a relatively novel material, evidence has demonstrated the cytotoxicity of GO NPs on various types of cells via a number of mechanisms, such as membrane damage, ROS generation, and expression level alterations of several key genes related to apoptosis [107]. Adverse eff ects against non-mammalian were also determined, and toxicity against Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a representative of roundworms, has primarily been studied [108][109][110][111][112]. Th ese studies showed impaired functions in the intestine, neurons and reproductive organs upon exposure to GO NPs, which were ascribed to a weakened epidermal barrier as a consequence of peroxidase formation in the epidermis.…”