Neural processing mechanism underlying temperature response of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

How nervous system senses and memorizes environmental conditions to regulate behavior is a fundamental question. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has unique features that facilitate elucidation of information processing, which mediate sensation and memory. Its nervous system contains only neurons 302, and their wiring pattern is known. In this review, we focused on the molecular and neural circuit mechanisms of a cultivation temperature experience-modulated behavior, thermotaxis of C. elegans. Thermotaxis is a useful model for studying complicated neural function, since simple neural circuit for thermotaxis is described previously. Recent molecular genetics and optogenetic technologies such as neural imaging and optical manipulation of neural activity have revealed molecular and cellular bases of thermotaxis behavior. Importantly, novel concept of neural calculation in the neural circuit between sensory neuron and interneuron has been identified.