Optogenetic manipulation of neural activity in C. elegans: from synapse to circuits and behavior

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development and application of optogenetics in C. elegans, highlighting techniques for manipulating neural activity to study synapses, circuits, and behavior in this model organism.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of optogenetic tools and methods specifically adapted for C. elegans, including recent advances in targeted and freely moving experiments.

Findings

Optogenetics enables precise control of C. elegans neurons.

Techniques allow targeting single cells in freely moving worms.

Optogenetics has advanced understanding of neural circuits and behavior.

Abstract

The emerging field of optogenetics allows for optical activation or inhibition of neurons and other tissue in the nervous system. In 2005 optogenetic proteins were expressed in the nematode C. elegans for the first time. Since then, C. elegans has served as a powerful platform upon which to conduct optogenetic investigations of synaptic function, circuit dynamics and the neuronal basis of behavior. The C. elegans nervous system, consisting of 302 neurons, whose connectivity and morphology has been mapped completely, drives a rich repertoire of behaviors that are quantifiable by video microscopy. This model organism's compact nervous system, quantifiable behavior, genetic tractability and optical accessibility make it especially amenable to optogenetic interrogation. Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), halorhodopsin (NpHR/Halo) and other common optogenetic proteins have all been expressed in C. elegans. Moreover recent advances leveraging molecular genetics and patterned light illumination have now made it possible to target photoactivation and inhibition to single cells and to do so in worms as they behave freely. Here we describe techniques and methods for optogenetic manipulation in C. elegans. We review recent work using optogenetics and C. elegans for neuroscience investigations at the level of synapses, circuits and behavior.