Assessing locomotory rate in response to food for the identification of neuronal and muscular defects in C. elegans

Summary: C. elegans is a bacteria-eating soil-dwelling nematode. Typical cultivation of laboratory-reared populations occurs on bacteria-covered solid media, where they move along with sinusoidal undulations. Nematodes decelerate when they encounter food. Dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmiss...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dionysia Petratou, Persefoni Fragkiadaki, Eirini Lionaki, Nektarios Tavernarakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-03-01
Series:STAR Protocols
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666166723007682
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Summary:Summary: C. elegans is a bacteria-eating soil-dwelling nematode. Typical cultivation of laboratory-reared populations occurs on bacteria-covered solid media, where they move along with sinusoidal undulations. Nematodes decelerate when they encounter food. Dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission regulate this behavior. Here, we describe the procedure for determining food-dependent locomotion rate of fed and fasting nematodes. We detail steps for assay plate preparation, C. elegans synchronization, and assessment of locomotion. The behaviors we describe provide information regarding the animal’s physiological neuronal and muscular function.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Petratou et al. (2023)1 and Sawin et al. (2000).2 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
ISSN:2666-1667