Abstract
Neuroendocrine cells are unique type of neurons that react to physical, chemical, and synaptic signals originating from tissues and the nervous system, releasing hormones that regulate various body functions beyond the synapse. Neuroendocrine cells are widely distributed throughout the body, including the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal medulla, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. Their proper development and function are essential for normal physiological regulation, and defects in neuroendocrine cell differentiation or signaling can lead to disorders such as neuroendocrine tumors and hormonal imbalances. Understanding molecular mechanisms of neuroendocrine cell signaling is important for developing treatments for diseases related to endocrine and nervous system dysfunction. However, neuroendocrine cells are often embedded in complex tissues making direct tests of their activation mechanisms and signaling effects difficult to study. In the nematode C. elegans, four uterine-vulval (uv1) neuroendocrine cells sit above the vulval canal next to the egg-laying circuit, releasing tyramine and neuropeptides that feedback to inhibit egg laying. Here, I used the uv1 cells of the C. elegans egg-laying behavior circuit to investigate 1) how neuroendocrine cell signaling affects animal behavior; 2) the molecular mechanisms allowing neuroendocrine cells to be mechanically activated, and 3) how different kind of ion channels mediate mechanical activation of neuroendocrine cells to regulate behavior.