Identification of DVA interneuron regulatory sequences in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The identity of each neuron is determined by the expression of a distinct group of genes comprising its terminal gene battery. The regulatory sequences that control the expression of such terminal gene batteries in individual neurons is largely unknown. The existence of a complete genome sequence for C. elegans and draft genomes of other nematodes let us use comparative genomics to identify regulatory sequences directing expression in the DVA interneuron.

Methodology/principal findings

Using phylogenetic comparisons of multiple Caenorhabditis species, we identified conserved non-coding sequences in 3 of 10 genes (fax-1, nmr-1, and twk-16) that direct expression of reporter transgenes in DVA and other neurons. The conserved region and flanking sequences in an 85-bp

SUBMITTER: Puckett Robinson C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3557239 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature