Methionine cycle in a pair of serotonergic neurons regulates diet-dependent behavior and longevity through a neuron-gut signaling

Abstract

The folate-methionine cycle (Met-C) is a central metabolic pathway that is regulated by vitamin B12 (B12), a micronutrient obtained exclusively from diet and microbiota. This metabolic hub supports amino acid, nucleotide and lipid biosynthesis apart from its central role of providing one carbon (-CH3) moiety for methylation reactions. While deficiency of B12 as well as polymorphism in enzymes of the Met-C has been clinically attributed to neurological and metabolic disorders, how this pathway cell non-autonomously regulates systemic physiological processes is less understood. Using a B12-sensitive mutant of Caenorhabditis elegans, we show that the neuronal Met-C responds to differential B12 content in diet to regulate p38-MAPK activation in intestinal cells, thereby modulating cytoprotective gene expression, stress tolerance and longevity. Mechanistically, B12-driven changes in the metabolic flux through the Met-C in the serotonergic ADF neurons of the mutant lead to the release of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). 5-HT activates its receptor, MOD-1, in the post-synaptic interneurons that then secretes the neuropeptide FLR-2. FLR-2 binds to FSHR-1, its cognate receptor in the intestine, and induces the phase transition of the SARM domain protein TIR-1, thereby activating the p38-MAPK pathway. Importantly, this cascade influences the foraging behaviour of the mutant worms such that they prefer a B12-rich diet. Together, our study reveals a dynamic neuron-gut signaling axis that helps an organism modulate behaviour and life history traits based on the neuronal Met-C metabolic flux determined by B12 availability in its diet. Understandably, disruption of the optimum functioning of this axis may have debilitating effects on the health of an organism and the survival of the species.