Molecular mechanisms controlling neuronal circuits for decision-making
Final Report Abstract
Animals need to constantly adapt to changes in their environment, and choosing an appropriate behavioral strategy is crucial for their survival. Quick decisions need to be made by integrating sensory information from the external world and internal signals related to physiological needs. Here we used the zebrafish larva as a model organism to identify molecular regulators of decision making modulated by metabolic state. Zebrafish larvae approach small moving visual stimuli simulating natural preys and avoid larger stimuli resembling predators. While stimulus size is an important factor dictating whether a fish will approach or avoid a visual stimulus, feeding state strongly influences this behavioral choice. Food intake induces zebrafish to adopt a risk-averse strategy in a binary approach/avoidance decision assay, and reduces representation of prey-like visual stimuli in the tectum, a brain region regulating approach and avoidance behaviors. By using a proteomic approach, we identified an intracellular peptide as a key regulator of foraging-related decisions controlled by metabolic state. Mutating the gene coding for the peptide induced alterations of approach/avoidance decisions, and representation of prey-like visual stimuli in the tectum. Furthermore, we identified a neurotransmitter pathway regulating expression of the peptidecoding gene. This study advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating behavioral choice under the control of internal states.
Publications
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The Calmodulin-interacting peptide Pcp4a regulates feeding state-dependent behavioral choice in zebrafish. Neuron, 112(7), 1150-1164.e6.
Zaupa, Margherita; Nagaraj, Nagarjuna; Sylenko, Anna; Baier, Herwig; Sawamiphak, Suphansa & Filosa, Alessandro
