Positive interaction between ASH and ASK sensory neurons accelerates nociception and inhibits behavioral adaptation

Jing-Jing Wu; Sheng-Wu Yin; Hui Liu; Rong Li; Jia-Hao Huang; Ping-Zhou Wang; Yu Xu; Jia-Lu Zhao; Piao-Ping Wu; Zheng-Xing Wu

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2022.105287

Positive interaction between ASH and ASK sensory neurons accelerates nociception and inhibits behavioral adaptation

iScience. 2022 Oct 6;25(11):105287. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105287. eCollection 2022 Nov 18.

Authors

Affiliation

¹ Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, Institute of Biophysics and Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Abstract

Central and peripheral sensory neurons tightly regulate nociception and avoidance behavior. The peripheral modulation of nociception provides more veridical and instantaneous information for animals to achieve rapid, more fine-tuned and concentrated behavioral responses. In this study, we find that positive interaction between ASH and ASK sensory neurons is essential for the fast-rising phase of ASH Ca²⁺ responses to noxious copper ions and inhibits the adaption of avoiding Cu²⁺. We reveal the underlying neuronal circuit mechanism. ASK accelerates the ASH Ca²⁺ responses by transferring cGMP through gap junctions. ASH excites ASK via a disinhibitory neuronal circuit composed of ASH, AIA, and ASK. Avoidance adaptation depends on the slope rate of the rising phase of ASH Ca²⁺ responses. Thus, in addition to amplitude, sensory kinetics is significant for sensations and behaviors, especially for sensory and behavioral adaptations.

Keywords: Behavioral neuroscience; Cellular neuroscience; Molecular neuroscience.