@article{2354ebfdcdbb42d6bc672fcd787fdb8d,
title = "Measurement of the Effects of Metals on Taxis-to-Food Behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans",
abstract = "Chemosensation in nematodes is linked to processes that affect their ability to survive, such as the search for food and the avoidance of toxic substances. Since the 1970s, numerous studies have assessed chemotaxis in the nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans, focusing on a multitude of agents, including bacteria (food), ions, salts, hormones, volatile organic compounds, and, to a lesser extent, metal-contaminated medium/food. The few studies evaluating metal exposure have reported a variety of responses (neutral, attraction, avoidance), which generally appear to be contaminant and/or concentration specific. Differences in experimental designs, however, hinder appropriate comparison of the findings and attainment of firm conclusions. Therefore, we herein propose and describe a detailed protocol for the assessment of the effects of metals on taxis-to-food behavior in C. elegans. Distinct approaches are proposed in two innovative stages of testing to (1) screen metals{\textquoteright} effects on taxis-to-food behavior and (2) classify the behavioral response as attraction/avoidance/indifference or preference. Use of such a standard protocol will allow for easy comparison across studies and direct interpretation of results. Findings using this model system can contribute to a deeper understanding of the real risks of metal contamination to nematodes and how such contaminants could impact ecosystems in general, given the key environmental roles that these organisms play.",
keywords = "Caenorhabditis elegans, attraction, avoidance, chemotaxis, metals, preference",
author = "Lib{\^a}nia Queir{\'o}s and Luana Monteiro and Carlos Marques and Pereira, {Joana L.} and Gon{\c c}alves, {Fernando J.M.} and Michael Aschner and Patr{\'i}cia Pereira",
note = "Funding Information: The authors are very thankful to Professor Tom Moens, from Ghent University, for suggestions and scientific advice. Thanks are due to FCT/MCTES for financial support (UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020) through national funds. L.Q. was supported by an individual research grant from FCT (SFRH/BD/129871/2017). J.L.P. and P.P. are funded by national funds (OE) through FCT – Funda{\c c}{\~a}o para a Ci{\^e}ncia e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in numbers 4, 5, and 6 of article 23 of the Decree-Law 57/2016 of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017 of July 19, and through the Scientific Employment Stimulus - Individual Call - [CEECIND/01144/2017], respectively. M.A. was supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), R01ES07331 and R01ES10563. Funding Information: The authors are very thankful to Professor Tom Moens, from Ghent University, for suggestions and scientific advice. Thanks are due to FCT/MCTES for financial support (UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020) through national funds. L.Q. was supported by an individual research grant from FCT (SFRH/BD/129871/2017). J.L.P. and P.P. are funded by national funds (OE) through FCT – Funda{\c c}{\~a}o para a Ci{\^e}ncia e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in numbers 4, 5, and 6 of article 23 of the Decree‐Law 57/2016 of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017 of July 19, and through the Scientific Employment Stimulus ‐ Individual Call ‐ [CEECIND/01144/2017], respectively. M.A. was supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), R01ES07331 and R01ES10563. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC",
year = "2021",
month = may,
doi = "10.1002/cpz1.131",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "1",
journal = "Current Protocols",
issn = "2691-1299",
publisher = "John Wiley & Sons Inc.",
number = "5",
}