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Fig. 9 | BMC Biology

Fig. 9

From: Toxic stress-specific cytoprotective responses regulate learned behavioral decisions in C. elegans

Fig. 9

Model for the regulation of learned behavioral decisions by cytoprotective responses. Undiluted odorants induce stress in non-neuronal cells. Cells emit inter-tissue danger signals to the nervous system which require JNK-like kinases and are integrated with other signals to control aversion. (The site of action of KGB-1 and JNK-1, although indicated in the peripheral cell, is yet undefined.) Benzaldehyde-specific cytoprotective responses (beige area) alleviate stress and danger signals, which diminish aversion via the neuropeptide receptor NPR-1. Reinforcement of these experiences forms a memory of protection, which upon retrieval by the olfactory cue allows a flexible decision depending on the external context, such as the availability of other, stress-free food sources. Insufficient cytoprotection (diacetyl) aggravates stress which leads to behavioral sensitization and forms a memory of danger, which upon retrieval compels to avoidance. Dashed lines denote results inferred from other studies, see the “Discussion” section for details

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