Lilianne Schoofs

Bio: Lilianne Schoofs is an academic researcher from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. The author has contributed to research in topics: Motor neuron. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 2 citations.

A conserved neuropeptide system links head and body motor circuits to enable adaptive behavior

Abstract: Neuromodulators promote adaptive behaviors in response to either environmental or internal physiological changes. These responses are often complex and may involve concerted activity changes across circuits that are not physically connected. It is not well understood how neuromodulatory systems act across circuits to elicit complex behavioral responses. Here we show that the C. elegans NLP-12 neuropeptide system, related to the mammalian cholecystokinin system, shapes responses to food availability by selectively modulating the activity of head and body wall motor neurons. NLP-12 modulation of the head and body wall motor circuits is generated through conditional involvement of alternate GPCR targets. The CKR-1 GPCR is highly expressed in the head motor circuit, and functions to enhance head bending and increase trajectory reorientations during local food searching, primarily through stimulatory actions on SMD head motor neurons. In contrast, NLP-12 activation of CKR-1 and CKR-2 GPCRs regulates body bending under basal conditions, primarily through actions on body wall motor neurons. Thus, locomotor responses to changing environmental conditions emerge from conditional NLP-12 stimulation of head or body wall motor neuron targets.

Increased dopaminergic neurotransmission results in ethanol dependent sedative behaviors in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract: Ethanol is a widely used drug, excessive consumption of which could lead to medical conditions with diverse symptoms Ethanol abuse causes dysfunction of memory, attention, speech and locomotion across species Dopamine signaling plays an essential role in ethanol dependent behaviors in animals ranging from C elegans to humans We devised an ethanol dependent assay in which mutants in the dopamine autoreceptor, dop-2, displayed a unique sedative locomotory behavior causing the animals to move in circles while dragging the posterior half of their body Here, we identify the posterior dopaminergic sensory neuron as being essential to modulate this behavior We further demonstrate that in dop-2 mutants, ethanol exposure increases dopamine secretion and functions in a DVA interneuron dependent manner DVA releases the neuropeptide NLP-12 that is known to function through cholinergic motor neurons and affect movement Thus, DOP-2 modulates dopamine levels at the synapse and regulates alcohol induced movement through NLP-12

Cholecystokinin/sulfakinin peptide signaling: conserved roles at the intersection between feeding, mating and aggression

Abstract: Neuropeptides are the most diverse messenger molecules in metazoans and are involved in regulation of daily physiology and a wide array of behaviors. Some neuropeptides and their cognate receptors are structurally and functionally well conserved over evolution in bilaterian animals. Among these are peptides related to gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK). In mammals, CCK is produced by intestinal endocrine cells and brain neurons, and regulates gall bladder contractions, pancreatic enzyme secretion, gut functions, satiety and food intake. Additionally, CCK plays important roles in neuromodulation in several brain circuits that regulate reward, anxiety, aggression and sexual behavior. In invertebrates, CCK-type peptides (sulfakinins, SKs) are, with a few exceptions, produced by brain neurons only. Common among invertebrates is that SKs mediate satiety and regulate food ingestion by a variety of mechanisms. Also regulation of secretion of digestive enzymes has been reported. Studies of the genetically tractable fly Drosophila have advanced our understanding of SK signaling mechanisms in regulation of satiety and feeding, but also in gustatory sensitivity, locomotor activity, aggression and reproductive behavior. A set of eight SK-expressing brain neurons plays important roles in regulation of these competing behaviors. In males, they integrate internal state and external stimuli to diminish sex drive and increase aggression. The same neurons also diminish sugar gustation, induce satiety and reduce feeding. Although several functional roles of CCK/SK signaling appear conserved between Drosophila and mammals, available data suggest that the underlying mechanisms differ.

System-wide mapping of neuropeptide-GPCR interactions in C. elegans

Abstract: Neuropeptides are ancient, widespread signaling molecules that underpin almost all brain functions. They constitute a broad ligand-receptor network, mainly by binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, the organization of the peptidergic network and roles of many neuropeptides remain elusive, as our insight into neuropeptide-receptor interactions is limited and many peptide GPCRs in animal models and humans are still orphan receptors. Here we report a genome-wide neuropeptide-GPCR interaction map in C. elegans. By reverse pharmacology screening of over 55,384 possible interactions, we identify 461 cognate peptide-GPCR couples that uncover a broad signaling network with specific and complex combinatorial interactions encoded across and within single peptidergic genes. These interactions provide insights into neuropeptide functions and evolution. Combining our dataset with phylogenetic analysis supports peptide-receptor co-evolution and conservation of at least 14 bilaterian peptidergic systems in C. elegans. This resource lays a foundation for system-wide analysis of the peptidergic network. Highlights System-wide reverse pharmacology deorphanizes 68 C. elegans peptide GPCRs Discovery of 461 peptide-GPCR pairs and additional ligands for characterized GPCRs Neuropeptides show specific and complex combinatorial receptor interactions Peptide-GPCR pairs support long-range conservation and expansion of peptide systems

The neuropeptidergic connectome of C. elegans

Abstract: Efforts are currently ongoing to map synaptic wiring diagrams or connectomes in order to understand the neural basis of brain function. However, chemical synapses represent only one type of functionally important neuronal connection; in particular, extrasynaptic, “wireless” signaling by neuropeptides is widespread and plays essential roles in all nervous systems. By integrating single-cell anatomical and gene expression datasets with a biochemical analysis of receptor-ligand interactions, we have generated a draft connectome of neuropeptide signaling in the C. elegans nervous system. This connectome is characterized by a high connection density, extended signaling cascades, autocrine foci, and a decentralized topology, with a large, highly interconnected core containing three constituent communities sharing similar patterns of input connectivity. Intriguingly, several of the most important nodes in this connectome are little-studied neurons that are specialized for peptidergic neuromodulation. We anticipate that the C. elegans neuropeptidergic connectome will serve as a prototype to understand basic organizational principles of neuroendocrine signaling networks.