Neuromodulation of self-amplifying circuits directs context-dependent behavioral executions. Although recurrent networks are found throughout the @entity2199 connectome, few reports describe the mechanisms that regulate reciprocal neural activity during complex behavior. We used @entity2199 male copulation to dissect how a goal-oriented motor behavior is regulated by recurrently wired sensory-motor neurons. As the male tail presses against the @entity4998 , cholinergic and glutamatergic reciprocal innervations of post cloaca sensilla (PCS) neurons (PCA, @entity5241 , and PCC), hook neurons ( @entity571 , HOB), and their postsynaptic sex muscles execute rhythmic copulatory spicule thrusts. These repetitive spicule movements continue until the male shifts off the vulva or genital penetration is accomplished. However, the signaling mechanism that temporally and spatially restricts repetitive intromission attempts to vulva cues was unclear. Here, we report that confinement of spicule insertion attempts to the vulva is facilitated by D2-like receptor modulation of gap-junctions between @entity5241 and the hook sensillum. We isolated a missense mutation in the @entity70190 (L) gap-junction isoform, which perturbs @entity70191 signaling in the @entity5241 neuron and its electrical partner, @entity571 . The @entity3264 -gated @entity2865 channel @entity70192 is expressed in @entity571 . Our analysis of the @entity70190 mutant allele indicates that when @entity70191 promotes @entity70190 electrical communication, @entity70192 -mediated inhibitory signals pass from @entity571 to @entity5241 . As a consequence, @entity5241 is less receptive to be stimulated by its recurrent synaptic partner, PCA. Behavioral observations suggest that @entity935 neuromodulation of @entity70190 ensures attenuation of recursive intromission attempts when the male disengages or is dislodged from the @entity4998 . SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Using @entity2199 male copulation as a model, we found that the neurotransmitter @entity935 stimulates D2-like receptors in two sensory circuits to terminate futile behavioral loops. The D2-like receptors promote inhibitory electrical junction activity between a chemosensory and a mechanosensory circuit. Therefore, both systems are attenuated and the animal ceases the recursive behavior.

@entity70191 D2-Like Receptor Regulates XXXX Innexins to Attenuate Recurrent Sensory Motor Neurons during @entity2199 Copulation.

@entity2199 :: ('6239', 'Species') :: ['C. elegans', 'Caenorhabditis elegans'] @entity4998 :: ('MESH:D012734', 'Disease') :: ["hermaphrodite's vulva", 'hermaphrodite genitalia'] @entity571 :: ('MESH:D010003', 'Disease') :: ['HOA'] @entity3264 :: ('D018698', 'Chemical') :: ['glutamate'] @entity5241 :: ('CHEBI:47136', 'Chemical') :: ['PCB'] @entity935 :: ('MESH:D004298', 'Chemical') :: ['dopamine'] @entity70190 :: ('181608(Tax:6239)', 'Gene') :: ['unc-7', 'UNC-7'] @entity2865 :: ('CHEBI:17996', 'Chemical') :: ['chloride'] @entity70191 :: ('179347(Tax:6239)', 'Gene') :: ['DOP-2'] @entity70192 :: ('172270(Tax:6239)', 'Gene') :: ['AVR-14']
@entity70190 :: (181608(Tax:6239),Gene) :: ['UNC-7']
