Differential Regulation of Innate and Learned Behavior by Creb1/Crh-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

J Neurosci. 2019 Oct 2;39(40):7934-7946. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0006-19.2019. Epub 2019 Aug 14.

Abstract

Memory formation is crucial for the survival of animals. Here, we study the effect of different crh-1 [Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of mammalian cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1)] isoforms on the ability of C. elegans to form long-term memory (LTM). Null mutants in creb1/crh-1 are defective in LTM formation across phyla. We show that a specific isoform of CREB1/CRH-1, CRH-1e, is primarily responsible for memory related functions of the transcription factor in C. elegans Silencing of CRH-1e-expressing neurons during training for LTM formation abolishes the LTM of the animal. Further, CRH-1e expression in RIM neurons is sufficient to rescue LTM defects of creb1/crh-1-null mutants. We go on to show that apart from being LTM defective, creb1/crh-1-null animals show defects in innate chemotaxis behavior. We further characterize the amino acids K247 and K266 as responsible for the LTM related functions of CREB1/CRH-1 while being dispensable for its innate chemotaxis behavior. These findings provide insight into the spatial and temporal workings of a crucial transcription factor that can be further exploited to find CREB1 targets involved in the process of memory formation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study elucidates the role of a specific isoform of CREB1/CRH-1, CRH-1e, in Caenorhabditis elegans memory formation and chemosensation. Removal of this single isoform of creb1/crh-1 shows defects in long-term memory formation in the animal and expression of CREB1/CRH-1e in a single pair of neurons is sufficient to rescue the memory defects seen in the mutant animals. We further show that two specific amino acids of CRH-1 are required for the process of memory formation in the animal.

Keywords: C. elegans; CREB1/CRH-1; chemotaxis; learning; reversals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans*
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Instinct*
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Memory / physiology
  • Memory, Long-Term / physiology
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Optogenetics
  • Sensation / genetics
  • Sensation / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • CRH-1 protein, C elegans
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Transcription Factors