Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning
Abstract The evolutionary paths taken by each sex within a given species sometimes diverge, resulting in behavioral differences. Given their distinct needs, the mechanism by which each sex learns from a shared experience is still an open question. Here, we reveal sexual dimorphism in learning: C. el...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-55950-7 |
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| author | Sonu Peedikayil-Kurien Rizwanul Haque Asaf Gat Meital Oren-Suissa |
| author_facet | Sonu Peedikayil-Kurien Rizwanul Haque Asaf Gat Meital Oren-Suissa |
| author_sort | Sonu Peedikayil-Kurien |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The evolutionary paths taken by each sex within a given species sometimes diverge, resulting in behavioral differences. Given their distinct needs, the mechanism by which each sex learns from a shared experience is still an open question. Here, we reveal sexual dimorphism in learning: C. elegans males do not learn to avoid the pathogenic bacteria PA14 as efficiently and rapidly as hermaphrodites. Notably, neuronal activity following pathogen exposure was dimorphic: hermaphrodites generate robust representations, while males, in line with their behavior, exhibit contrasting representations. Transcriptomic and behavioral analysis revealed that the neuropeptide receptor npr-5, an ortholog of the mammalian NPY/NPF-like receptor, regulates male learning by modulating neuronal activity. Furthermore, we show the dependency of the males’ decision-making on their sexual status and demonstrate the role of npr-5 as a modulator of incoming sensory cues. Taken together, these findings illustrate how neuromodulators drive sex-specific behavioral plasticity in response to a shared experience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28dd0de82d544b869a69bf0f4dd70d9b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-28dd0de82d544b869a69bf0f4dd70d9b2025-01-19T12:31:07ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-0116111610.1038/s41467-025-55950-7Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learningSonu Peedikayil-Kurien0Rizwanul Haque1Asaf Gat2Meital Oren-Suissa3Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceDepartment of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceDepartment of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceDepartment of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of ScienceAbstract The evolutionary paths taken by each sex within a given species sometimes diverge, resulting in behavioral differences. Given their distinct needs, the mechanism by which each sex learns from a shared experience is still an open question. Here, we reveal sexual dimorphism in learning: C. elegans males do not learn to avoid the pathogenic bacteria PA14 as efficiently and rapidly as hermaphrodites. Notably, neuronal activity following pathogen exposure was dimorphic: hermaphrodites generate robust representations, while males, in line with their behavior, exhibit contrasting representations. Transcriptomic and behavioral analysis revealed that the neuropeptide receptor npr-5, an ortholog of the mammalian NPY/NPF-like receptor, regulates male learning by modulating neuronal activity. Furthermore, we show the dependency of the males’ decision-making on their sexual status and demonstrate the role of npr-5 as a modulator of incoming sensory cues. Taken together, these findings illustrate how neuromodulators drive sex-specific behavioral plasticity in response to a shared experience.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-55950-7 |
| spellingShingle | Sonu Peedikayil-Kurien Rizwanul Haque Asaf Gat Meital Oren-Suissa Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning Nature Communications |
| title | Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning |
| title_full | Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning |
| title_fullStr | Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning |
| title_short | Modulation by NPY/NPF-like receptor underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning |
| title_sort | modulation by npy npf like receptor underlies experience dependent sexually dimorphic learning |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-55950-7 |
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