Predator-secreted sulfolipids induce fear-like defense responses in C. elegans

15 Animals respond to predators by altering their behavior and physiological states, but the 16 underlying signaling mechanisms are poorly understood. Using the interactions between 17 Caenorhabditis elegans and its predator, Pristionchus pacificus, we show that neuronal 18 perception by C. elegans of a predator-specific molecular signature induces instantaneous escape 19 behavior and a prolonged reduction in oviposition. Chemical analysis revealed this predator20 specific signature to consist of a class of sulfolipids, produced by a biochemical pathway 21 required for developing predacious behavior and specifically induced by starvation. These 22 sulfolipids are detected by four pairs of C. elegans amphid sensory neurons that act redundantly 23 and recruit cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) or transient receptor potential (TRP) channels to drive 24 both escape and reduced oviposition. Specific abolishment of predator-evoked C. elegans 25 responses by the anti-anxiety drug sertraline as well as functional homology of the delineated 26 signaling pathways suggests a conserved or convergent strategy for managing predator threats. 27 28 peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not . http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/153056 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online Jun. 21, 2017;