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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Mar 15.
Published in final edited form as: Cell Cycle. 2009 Apr 4;8(7):966–969. doi: 10.4161/cc.8.7.8074

Figure 2. Model of the role of the NPR-1 neural circuit in resistance to pathogen infection in C. elegans.

Figure 2

NPR-1 inhibits the activity of at least AQR, PQR, URX neurons that suppress pathogen resistance by at least two mechanisms. While GCY-35, TAX-2, and TAX-4 are required for the activation of AQR, PQR and URX neurons, NPR-1 inhibits their activity. When the inhibitory function of NPR-1 is affected, AQR, PQR and URX neurons promote hyperoxia avoidance which suppresses pathogen avoidance and results in a reduced resistance to infection. Additionally, when the NPR-1-mediated inhibition of AQR, PQR and URX neurons is affected, innate immunity is suppressed.