PRC1 chromatin factors strengthen the consistency of neuronal cell fate specification and maintenance in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT: In the nervous system, the specific identity of a neuron is established and maintained by terminal selector transcription factors that directly activate large batteries of terminal differentiation genes and positively regulate their own expression via feedback loops. However, how this is achieved in a reliable manner despite noise in gene expression, genetic variability or environmental perturbations remains poorly understood. We addressed this question using the AIY cholinergic interneurons of C. elegans, whose specification and differentiation network is well characterized. Via a genetic screen, we found that a loss of function of PRC1 chromatin factors induces a stochastic loss of AIY differentiated state in a small proportion of the population. PRC1 factors act directly in the AIY neur

SUBMITTER: Bordet G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9126393 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature