Optimizing a C. elegans whole organism screen biased for chemicals that target the nematode clade specific receptor EAT-2

Pesticides are important resources in the control of pests and pathogens of plants and animals. Unfortunately, there are concerns around their broad impacts on non-target organisms and the environment. In this study we optimize a platform biased for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor EAT-2, a physiological regulator of feeding in C. elegans. We show that by screening for chemicals that inhibit C. elegans pharyngeal pumping in lev-1(x427), we can identify lead compounds that modulate EAT-2 function. This provides a motivation for further studies to investigate the role of EAT-2 in parasitic nematodes and their potential as a target for novel nematicides.