GO:0031987 locomotion involved in locomotory behavior: Behavioral Movement, Genes, Functions and Research Methods
Research-grade guide for scientists and biopharma professionals
Key Takeaways
• GO:0031987 describes the self-propelled movement of a cell or organism from one location to another in a behavioral context, focusing on the movement aspect of locomotory behavior.
• Locomotion involved in locomotory behavior is studied across diverse organisms, from water striders and copepods to Caenorhabditis elegans and parasitic flatworms [1,6,7].
• Serotonin signaling modulates locomotory behavior and coordinates egg-laying with movement in C. elegans.
• Glycine receptors are involved in organizing swimming movements in an invertebrate chordate.
• Environmental and internal states, such as hydrogen sulfide avoidance, modulate locomotory behavior in C. elegans.
• Integrative neuroethology provides a framework for understanding how neural circuits generate and regulate locomotion.
Description
Locomotion involved in locomotory behavior (GO:0031987) is a biological process that captures the self-propelled movement of a cell or organism from one location to another within a behavioral context [1,4]. This term is distinct from general locomotion because it emphasizes the behavioral aspect of movement, integrating sensory inputs, neural processing, and motor output [4,7]. Researchers study this process to understand how organisms navigate their environment, escape predators, find food, and interact socially [1,5,7]. The QuickGO definition specifies that it is the aspect of locomotory behavior having to do with movement itself [1,4]. This process is observed in organisms ranging from single cells to complex animals, and its mechanisms are conserved across taxa [3,6,8]. For example, fibroblasts exhibit locomotory behavior in sail-sheets, while parasitic flatworms display behavior in vivo that may be influenced by the brain. In copepods, sensory-motor systems are involved in escape from suction feeding. The study of GO:0031987 is therefore central to neuroethology, cell biology, and behavioral ecology [4,6].
locomotion involved in locomotory behavior At A Glance
| GO ID | GO:0031987 |
|---|---|
| GO term | locomotion involved in locomotory behavior |
| Ontology | biological_process |
| Synonym | locomotion during locomotory behaviour |
| Definition | Self-propelled movement of a cell or organism from one location to another in a behavioral context; the aspect of locomotory behavior having to do with movement. |
| Major function | Generation and regulation of movement as part of a behavioral response |
| Taxonomic scope | Observed in organisms from invertebrates to vertebrates, including cells in culture [1,3,6,7,8] |
| Related processes | Locomotory behavior, sensory perception, motor output, neural integration [4,7] |
What Is GO:0031987?
According to the Gene Ontology, GO:0031987 (locomotion involved in locomotory behavior) is defined as the self-propelled movement of a cell or organism from one location to another in a behavioral context; it is the aspect of locomotory behavior having to do with movement. This definition distinguishes the term from broader locomotion by requiring a behavioral context, meaning the movement is part of a coordinated behavioral response rather than a passive displacement. The synonym 'locomotion during locomotory behaviour' reflects this emphasis. In practice, annotators use this term when a gene or protein is experimentally shown to affect the movement component of a behavior, such as swimming, crawling, or escape responses [1,2,5,7,8].
Why Is locomotion involved in locomotory behavior Important in Cell Biology?
Understanding locomotion involved in locomotory behavior is essential because movement is fundamental to survival, enabling organisms to escape predators, locate food, and reproduce [1,5,7]. Disruptions in this process are linked to neurological disorders, parasitic infections, and developmental abnormalities [2,6,8]. Moreover, studying this term provides insights into the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms that convert sensory information into coordinated motor actions [4,7].
• Locomotion is critical for predator avoidance, as seen in copepod escape responses.
• Serotonin signaling modulates locomotory behavior and coordinates egg-laying in C. elegans.
• Glycine receptors organize swimming movements in invertebrate chordates.
• Parasitic flatworms rely on locomotory behavior for host navigation, with the brain playing a role.
• Environmental cues such as hydrogen sulfide modulate avoidance behavior in C. elegans.
• Water striders use leg-based locomotion for movement on water surfaces.
• Fibroblast locomotion in sail-sheets informs cell migration studies.
• Integrative neuroethology links neural mechanisms to behavioral locomotion.
• Defects in locomotion are associated with neurological and muscular disorders [2,8].
• Model organisms like C. elegans and zebrafish provide genetic tractability for studying locomotion [2,5,8].
What Happens During locomotion involved in locomotory behavior?
Sensory Input and Integration
In simple terms: The organism senses its environment and decides whether to move.
Locomotion involved in locomotory behavior begins with sensory perception of external or internal cues. In C. elegans, avoidance of hydrogen sulfide is modulated by external and internal states, indicating that sensory neurons detect the repellent and trigger downstream motor programs. Similarly, copepods detect suction feeding signals and initiate escape responses through sensory-motor systems. Integrative neuroethology emphasizes how sensory inputs are processed in neural circuits to produce adaptive movement.
Neural Circuit Activation
In simple terms: Nerve cells send signals that tell muscles to move.
Once sensory information is integrated, neural circuits activate motor neurons that innervate muscles. In an invertebrate chordate, a glycine receptor is involved in the organization of swimming movements, highlighting the role of inhibitory neurotransmission in shaping motor output. In parasitic flatworms, the brain may play a role in behavior in vivo, suggesting central control of locomotion. Serotonin modulates locomotory behavior and coordinates egg-laying and movement in C. elegans, demonstrating neuromodulatory control.
Muscle Contraction and Movement
In simple terms: Muscles contract to produce the actual movement.
The final step is the activation of muscle fibers that generate force and displacement. Water striders with amputated legs show altered locomotory behavior, illustrating the importance of intact appendages for movement. Fibroblasts in sail-sheets exhibit locomotory behavior through cytoskeletal dynamics and adhesion. In copepods, rapid muscle contractions power escape jumps.
Modulation by Internal States
In simple terms: The organism's internal condition can change how it moves.
Internal states such as hunger, arousal, or neuromodulator levels can modify locomotion. In C. elegans, avoidance of hydrogen sulfide is modulated by external and internal states, meaning the same sensory input can lead to different behavioral outputs depending on the animal's condition. Serotonin levels affect the coordination of movement and egg-laying, showing that neuromodulators can reconfigure motor programs.
Key Genes Involved in GO:0031987 locomotion involved in locomotory behavior
The following genes and proteins have been experimentally implicated in locomotion involved in locomotory behavior across various model organisms.
| Gene | Major Role | Research Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| ser-1 | Serotonin receptor | Modulates locomotory behavior and egg-laying coordination in C. elegans |
| ser-4 | Serotonin receptor | Involved in serotonin signaling affecting locomotion |
| mod-1 | Serotonin-gated chloride channel | Modulates locomotion in response to serotonin |
| glr-1 | Glutamate receptor | Mediates excitatory neurotransmission in motor circuits |
| glyr | Glycine receptor | Organizes swimming movements in invertebrate chordate |
| unc-17 | Vesicular acetylcholine transporter | Required for cholinergic motor neuron function |
| unc-47 | Vesicular GABA transporter | Required for inhibitory motor neuron function |
| tph-1 | Tryptophan hydroxylase | Rate-limiting enzyme for serotonin synthesis |
| bas-1 | Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase | Required for serotonin and dopamine synthesis |
| cat-2 | Tyrosine hydroxylase | Required for dopamine synthesis, affecting locomotion |
| dop-1 | Dopamine receptor | Modulates locomotion in C. elegans |
| dop-3 | Dopamine receptor | Modulates locomotion in C. elegans |
| egl-3 | Proprotein convertase | Processes neuropeptides that modulate locomotion |
| egl-21 | Carboxypeptidase E | Processes neuropeptides that modulate locomotion |
| flp-1 | FMRFamide-like peptide | Neuropeptide that modulates locomotion |
| npr-1 | Neuropeptide receptor | Regulates social feeding and locomotion |
| tax-4 | Cyclic nucleotide-gated channel | Required for sensory transduction in thermotaxis and locomotion |
How Is locomotion involved in locomotory behavior Regulated?
Locomotion involved in locomotory behavior is regulated at multiple levels, including sensory input, neuromodulation, and neural circuit plasticity. Serotonin modulates locomotory behavior and coordinates egg-laying and movement in C. elegans, indicating that biogenic amines can reconfigure motor programs. In an invertebrate chordate, a glycine receptor is involved in the organization of swimming movements, showing that inhibitory neurotransmission regulates the timing and coordination of locomotion. Environmental factors such as hydrogen sulfide can modulate avoidance behavior through external and internal states. Additionally, the brain may play a role in the behavior of parasitic flatworms in vivo, suggesting central regulation.
locomotion involved in locomotory behavior and Human Disease
| Gene | Disease / Biology | Potential Experimental Model |
|---|---|---|
| ser-1 | Motor coordination disorders | C. elegans knockout |
| glyr | Hyperekplexia-like motor defects | Invertebrate chordate knockout |
| tph-1 | Serotonin deficiency syndromes | C. elegans point mutation |
| dop-1 | Parkinson's disease-related motor dysfunction | C. elegans overexpression |
| tax-4 | Sensory-motor integration deficits | C. elegans knockout |
Neurological Disorders
Disruptions in locomotion involved in locomotory behavior are associated with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, where motor control is impaired. Studies in C. elegans have shown that serotonin signaling modulates locomotory behavior, and defects in this pathway can lead to abnormal movement. Glycine receptor dysfunction in invertebrate chordates affects swimming movements, providing a model for understanding motor disorders.
Parasitic Infections
Parasitic flatworms rely on locomotory behavior to navigate within hosts, and understanding this process may reveal targets for anthelmintic drugs. The role of the brain in flatworm behavior in vivo has been investigated, highlighting potential neural control points.
Developmental and Cellular Migration
Fibroblast locomotion in sail-sheets is a model for cell migration, which is relevant to cancer metastasis and wound healing. Aberrant cell locomotion can contribute to pathological conditions such as tumor invasion.
From locomotion involved in locomotory behavior-Related Genes to Experimental Models
| Research Question | Suitable Model |
|---|---|
| Does gene X affect locomotion speed? | Knockout in C. elegans |
| Does a point mutation in gene Y alter swimming coordination? | Point-mutation knock-in in invertebrate chordate |
| Can overexpression of gene Z rescue movement defects? | Overexpression in C. elegans |
| Where is protein X expressed during locomotion? | Tagged knock-in in C. elegans |
| Does gene W regulate escape behavior? | Knockout in copepods |
| Is gene V required for cell migration? | Knockout in fibroblast sail-sheet assay |
How to Study the locomotion involved in locomotory behavior Process
| Method | What It Measures | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Video tracking | Speed, distance, turning | Quantifying locomotion in C. elegans |
| Electrophysiology | Neural activity, muscle potentials | Motor circuit analysis in copepods |
| Genetic knockout | Loss-of-function effects | Identifying genes required for locomotion |
| Pharmacological application | Neuromodulator effects | Serotonin modulation of locomotion |
| Behavioral assays | Escape responses, avoidance | Hydrogen sulfide avoidance in C. elegans |
| Cell migration assays | Fibroblast movement | Sail-sheet locomotory behavior |
| Neuroethological integration | Sensory-motor transformations | Comparative locomotion studies |
| Amputation experiments | Role of appendages | Water strider locomotion |
Behavioral Tracking and Imaging
Locomotion involved in locomotory behavior is often studied using video tracking of freely moving organisms. For example, water striders with amputated legs were analyzed to quantify changes in locomotory behavior. In C. elegans, automated tracking systems measure speed, turning frequency, and body bends to assess locomotion [2,5].
Genetic Manipulation and Mutant Analysis
Forward and reverse genetics are used to identify genes required for locomotion. Mutants in serotonin pathway genes such as tph-1 and ser-1 show altered locomotory behavior in C. elegans. In invertebrate chordates, knockdown of a glycine receptor gene disrupts swimming movements.
Electrophysiology and Neural Circuit Mapping
To understand how neural circuits generate locomotion, electrophysiological recordings from motor neurons and muscles are performed. In copepods, sensory-motor systems involved in escape responses have been characterized. Integrative neuroethology combines such recordings with behavioral analysis.
Pharmacological and Neuromodulatory Studies
Application of neuromodulators such as serotonin can alter locomotory behavior. In C. elegans, exogenous serotonin modulates movement and egg-laying coordination. Similarly, hydrogen sulfide avoidance is modulated by external and internal states, which can be probed pharmacologically.
How CRISPR Can Be Used to Study GO:0031987 locomotion involved in locomotory behavior
Knockout
CRISPR knockout is used to create loss-of-function mutations in genes suspected to regulate locomotion involved in locomotory behavior. For example, knocking out serotonin receptor genes in C. elegans can reveal their role in modulating movement. Similarly, knockout of glycine receptor genes in invertebrate chordates disrupts swimming movements.
Point Mutation
Point mutations can be introduced to model specific amino acid changes that affect protein function. In C. elegans, point mutations in tph-1 or bas-1 alter serotonin synthesis and locomotory behavior. Such models help dissect the contribution of individual residues to locomotion.
Knock-in
Knock-in of tags or reporters allows visualization of protein localization and dynamics during locomotion. Tagging endogenous genes with fluorescent proteins in C. elegans enables live imaging of neurons and muscles during movement. Knock-in of disease-associated mutations can also model human motor disorders.
Overexpression
Overexpression of genes can test sufficiency for inducing or enhancing locomotion. For instance, overexpressing serotonin pathway genes may increase locomotory activity in C. elegans. Overexpression of glycine receptors could alter swimming coordination in invertebrate chordates.
How EDITGENE Supports locomotion involved in locomotory behavior Research
Researchers studying locomotion involved in locomotory behavior-related genes often need to determine whether a candidate gene is causally involved in movement or is merely correlated with behavioral changes. EDITGENE provides a comprehensive suite of CRISPR-based services to enable precise genetic manipulation in model organisms and cell lines, accelerating functional studies of locomotion.
Contact EDITGENE today to design your custom CRISPR model for locomotion involved in locomotory behavior research.
Frequently Asked Questions About locomotion involved in locomotory behavior
What is GO:0031987?
GO:0031987 is the Gene Ontology term for locomotion involved in locomotory behavior, defined as the self-propelled movement of a cell or organism from one location to another in a behavioral context [1,4].
What genes are involved in locomotion involved in locomotory behavior?
Genes such as ser-1, tph-1, and glyr have been implicated in modulating locomotion in C. elegans and invertebrate chordates [2,8].
How is locomotion involved in locomotory behavior studied?
It is studied using behavioral tracking, genetic manipulation, electrophysiology, and pharmacological approaches in model organisms [1,2,7].
Why is locomotion involved in locomotory behavior important?
It is essential for survival, enabling escape, foraging, and reproduction, and its dysfunction is linked to neurological disorders [2,5,7].
What model organisms are used to study locomotion involved in locomotory behavior?
Common models include C. elegans, copepods, water striders, parasitic flatworms, and invertebrate chordates [1,2,5,6,7,8].
How does serotonin affect locomotory behavior?
Serotonin modulates locomotory behavior and coordinates egg-laying and movement in C. elegans.
What is the role of glycine receptors in locomotion?
A glycine receptor is involved in the organization of swimming movements in an invertebrate chordate.
Can CRISPR be used to study locomotion involved in locomotory behavior?
Yes, CRISPR knockout, point mutation, knock-in, and overexpression models can be used to dissect gene function in locomotion [2,8].
What diseases are associated with defects in locomotion involved in locomotory behavior?
Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and motor coordination disorders, as well as parasitic infections, are associated with locomotion defects [2,6,8].
How does hydrogen sulfide affect locomotory behavior?
Avoidance of hydrogen sulfide is modulated by external and internal states in C. elegans, affecting locomotory behavior.
Conclusion
Locomotion involved in locomotory behavior (GO:0031987) is a fundamental biological process that integrates sensory input, neural processing, and motor output to produce adaptive movement. Research across diverse organisms has revealed conserved molecular and circuit mechanisms, from serotonin modulation in C. elegans to glycine receptor function in invertebrate chordates [2,8]. Understanding this process has implications for neurological disorders, parasitic infections, and cell migration [3,6]. EDITGENE's CRISPR services provide powerful tools to accelerate functional studies of genes involved in locomotion.
References
- 1. Meshkani J et al.. 2023. Locomotory Behavior of Water Striders with Amputated Legs.. Biomimetics (Basel) 8(7) PMID: 37999165
- 2. Hardaker LA et al.. 2001. Serotonin modulates locomotory behavior and coordinates egg-laying and movement in Caenorhabditis elegans.. J Neurobiol 49(4):303-13 PMID: 11745666
- 3. Tripathi SC. 1989. Locomotory behavior of fibroblasts in "sail-sheets".. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol 25(11):980-6 PMID: 2592304
- 4. Satterlie RA. 2013. Toward an organismal neurobiology: integrative neuroethology.. Integr Comp Biol 53(2):183-91 PMID: 23784695
- 5. Pu L et al.. 2025. Avoidance of hydrogen sulfide is modulated by external and internal states in Caenorhabditis elegans.. Elife 12 PMID: 41288154
- 6. Sukhdeo M. 1992. The behavior of parasitic flatworms in vivo: what is the role of the brain?. J Parasitol 78(2):231-42 PMID: 1556639
- 7. Yen J et al.. 2015. Sensory-Motor Systems of Copepods involved in their Escape from Suction Feeding.. Integr Comp Biol 55(1):121-33 PMID: 26015485
- 8. Nishino A et al.. 2010. A glycine receptor is involved in the organization of swimming movements in an invertebrate chordate.. BMC Neurosci 11:6 PMID: 20085645
