The Prop1-like homeobox gene unc-42 specifies the identity of synaptically connected neurons.

ABSTRACT: Many neuronal identity regulators are expressed in distinct populations of cells in the nervous system, but their function is often analyzed only in specific isolated cellular contexts, thereby potentially leaving overarching themes in gene function undiscovered. We show here that the Caenorhabditis elegans Prop1-like homeobox gene unc-42 is expressed in 15 distinct sensory, inter- and motor neuron classes throughout the entire C. elegans nervous system. Strikingly, all 15 neuron classes expressing unc-42 are synaptically interconnected, prompting us to investigate whether unc-42 controls the functional properties of this circuit and perhaps also the assembly of these neurons into functional circuitry. We found that unc-42 defines the routes of com

SUBMITTER: Berghoff EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8225392 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature