Non-visual light modulates behavioral memory and gene expression in .

Abstract

Visible light influences a range of physiological processes, yet how animals respond to it independently of the visual system remains largely unknown. Here, we uncover a previously undescribed light-induced transcriptional pathway that modulates behavioral plasticity in , a roundworm without eyes. We demonstrate that ambient visible light or controlled-intensity visible-spectrum LED activates an effector gene in non-neuronal tissues through the bZIP transcription factors ZIP-2 and CEBP-2. Light induction of is more prominent at shorter wavelengths but is independent of the known blue light receptors LITE-1 and GUR-3 in . This bZIP-dependent genetic pathway in non-neuronal tissues enhances behavioral adaptability and olfactory memory, suggesting a body-brain communication axis. Furthermore, we use the light-responsive promoter to drive ectopic gene expression, causing synthetic light-induced sleep and rapid aging phenotypes in . These findings advance our understanding of light-responsive mechanisms outside the visual system and offer a new genetic tool for visible light-inducible gene expression in non-neuronal tissues.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Ambient visible light or controlled-intensity visible-spectrum LED induced an effector gene in non-neuronal tissues via bZIP transcription factors ZIP-2 and CEBP-2, with stronger induction at shorter wavelengths and independence from known blue light receptors LITE-1 and GUR-3. The pathway was reported to enhance behavioral adaptability and olfactory memory, and a light-responsive promoter was used to drive ectopic expression producing synthetic light-induced sleep and rapid aging phenotypes.

Outcomes measured

• behavioral plasticity/behavioral adaptability
• olfactory memory
• gene expression/transcriptional pathway (light-induced)
• sleep phenotype (synthetic light-induced sleep)
• aging phenotype (rapid aging)

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    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "visible",
        "source": "LED",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "behavioral plasticity/behavioral adaptability",
        "olfactory memory",
        "gene expression/transcriptional pathway (light-induced)",
        "sleep phenotype (synthetic light-induced sleep)",
        "aging phenotype (rapid aging)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Ambient visible light or controlled-intensity visible-spectrum LED induced an effector gene in non-neuronal tissues via bZIP transcription factors ZIP-2 and CEBP-2, with stronger induction at shorter wavelengths and independence from known blue light receptors LITE-1 and GUR-3. The pathway was reported to enhance behavioral adaptability and olfactory memory, and a light-responsive promoter was used to drive ectopic expression producing synthetic light-induced sleep and rapid aging phenotypes.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "visible light",
        "LED",
        "non-visual light response",
        "transcriptional pathway",
        "gene expression",
        "bZIP transcription factors",
        "ZIP-2",
        "CEBP-2",
        "non-neuronal tissues",
        "behavioral plasticity",
        "olfactory memory",
        "sleep",
        "aging",
        "roundworm"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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