Figure 7. Model of how IIS affects recovery of pharyngeal pumping during starvation.

This scheme is discussed in the text. Although the neuron is depicted as close by to the pharyngeal muscle, in reality, the neuronal signal (e.g., insulin and/or neuropeptides) may act more like a neurohormone over a greater distance. The depiction of the DAF-2 receptor is intended to show different binding modes for insulin molecules (e.g., INS-1 vs. DAF-28). Signaling downstream of DAF-2 bifurcates into Path 1, mediated by PIKI-1 and ARR-1, and Path 2, the classical pathway mediated by AGE-1 and AKT-1. INS-?? refers to additional C. elegans insulins that participate in this response.