Long-term activity drives dendritic branch elaboration of a C. elegans sensory neuron.

ABSTRACT: Neuronal activity often leads to alterations in gene expression and cellular architecture. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, owing to its compact translucent nervous system, is a powerful system in which to study conserved aspects of the development and plasticity of neuronal morphology. Here we focus on one pair of sensory neurons, termed URX, which the worm uses to sense and avoid high levels of environmental oxygen. Previous studies have reported that the URX neuron pair has variable branched endings at its dendritic sensory tip. By controlling oxygen levels and analyzing mutants, we found that these microtubule-rich branched endings grow over time as a consequence of neuronal activity in adulthood. We also find that the growth of these branches correlates with an increase in cellula

SUBMITTER: Cohn JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7170766 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature