Calcium Signaling and Neuropeptide Secretion in the Expulsion Step of the Caenorhabditis Elegans Defecation Motor Program

Sam McCright, Oberlin College

Location

Science Center, A154

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-25-2014 4:00 PM

End Date

4-25-2014 5:15 PM

Abstract

How does inhibiting communication within a tissue affect communication between that tissue and other parts of the body? In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a three-step motor program is initiated by an intestinal calcium wave. The intestine releases the neuropeptide-like protein NLP-40, which is thought to serve as message that tells neurons to signal the last muscle contraction. Worms mutant for intestinal intracellular communication channels have faulty calcium waves and lack the last contraction. I have used optogenetic methods and in-vivo fluorescence microscopy to investigate whether faulty calcium waves inhibit release of NLP-40.

Notes

Session III, Panel 12 - Risk, Regulation, and Response: Biological Studies of Muscle Contraction, Carcinogens, and Black-Capped Chickadees
Moderator: Marta Laskowski, Professor of Biology

Major

Biology

Advisor(s)

Katherine Cullen, Biology

Project Mentor(s)

Maureen Peters, Biology

April 2014

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Apr 25th, 4:00 PM Apr 25th, 5:15 PM

Calcium Signaling and Neuropeptide Secretion in the Expulsion Step of the Caenorhabditis Elegans Defecation Motor Program

Science Center, A154

How does inhibiting communication within a tissue affect communication between that tissue and other parts of the body? In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a three-step motor program is initiated by an intestinal calcium wave. The intestine releases the neuropeptide-like protein NLP-40, which is thought to serve as message that tells neurons to signal the last muscle contraction. Worms mutant for intestinal intracellular communication channels have faulty calcium waves and lack the last contraction. I have used optogenetic methods and in-vivo fluorescence microscopy to investigate whether faulty calcium waves inhibit release of NLP-40.