Insulin and Epidermal Signals Independently Shape Sexually Dimorphic Neurite Branching in C. elegans

ABSTRACT: Sexual dimorphism in neural wiring and behavior arises from both intrinsic genetic programs and environmental cues, yet how these factors interact to shape neuronal morphogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigate sexually dimorphic collateral branching in PVP cholinergic interneurons of Caenorhabditis elegans. In hermaphrodites, PVP branches form near the vulva and exhibit dynamic morphologies enriched with synaptic proteins for dense core vesicles but not synaptic vesicles, suggesting a role in selective neuropeptide transmission. We find that sex identity is necessary but not sufficient for PVP branching. Sex identity engages autonomous insulin signaling via the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16 to promote branch formation and modulate dynamic branch morphologies according to nutritio

SUBMITTER: Jia-Bin Yang 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44319-025-00608-0 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other