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Determining Neuronal Fate in C. elegans
Author(s) -
Chalfie Martin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.83.2
Subject(s) - transcription factor , hox gene , biology , cell fate determination , transcription (linguistics) , caenorhabditis elegans , cellular differentiation , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , genetics , gene , linguistics , philosophy
Neuronal differentiation is not simply the turning on of a developmental switch that results in the production of cell‐specific expression and features. We have used the six touch receptor neurons (TRNs) in C. elegans to identify and study the factors needed to initiate and maintain the differentiation of a specific type of neuron. We have identified transcription factors that specify, maintain, and restrict cell fate and others transcription factors, including Hox proteins, that reduce stochastic variability and ensure differentiation. The first class of transcription factors includes selectors, which direct the production of cell‐characteristic proteins, but also transcription factors that restrict and allow the selectors to act. We are calling the second class of transcription factors, which allow maximal function of selectors, guarantors. Our most recent studies are directed at understanding how different subtypes of TRNs are specified. One particular differences between the cells is that some are monopolar cells whereas others are bipolar cells. Support or Funding Information This work was supported by grants GM30997 and GM122522 from the National Institutes of Health This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .