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Genetic transformation of the synaptic pattern of a motoneuron class in Caenorhabditis elegans

WW Walthall and JA Plunkett
Journal of Neuroscience 1 February 1995, 15 (2) 1035-1043; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.15-02-01035.1995
WW Walthall
Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30302–4010.
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JA Plunkett
Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta 30302–4010.
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Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans possesses two classes of inhibitory locomotory neurons, the DD and VD motoneurons (mns), and they form complementary components of a cross-inhibitory neuronal network innervating dorsal and ventral body muscles. The DD and VD mns (collectively called the D mns) share a number of morphological and neurochemical features, and mutations in a number of different genes disrupt both cell types in identical ways; however, the DD and VD mns have different lineal origins and different synaptic patterns. Given the number of phenotypic features shared by the D mns, it was of interest to determine what is responsible for the synaptic patterns that distinguish them. An analysis of the locomotory defect along with a genetic epistasis test suggested that unc-55 mutations alter the function of the VD but not the DD mns. Correlated with the defective locomotory behavior of unc-55 mutants was an alteration in the distribution of varicosities, structures associated with presynaptic elements, on the VD mns. The pattern of varicosities of the unc-55 VD mns resembled that of the wild- type DD mns. Moreover, the selective removal of the DD mns revealed that unc-55 VD mns had adopted a functional role appropriate for the DD mns. Thus, unc-55 appears to be involved in producing the synaptic patterns that distinguish the two D mn classes from one another; when the gene is mutated the VD and DD mns become structurally similar and functionally equivalent.

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The Journal of Neuroscience: 15 (2)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 15, Issue 2
1 Feb 1995
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Genetic transformation of the synaptic pattern of a motoneuron class in Caenorhabditis elegans
WW Walthall, JA Plunkett
Journal of Neuroscience 1 February 1995, 15 (2) 1035-1043; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.15-02-01035.1995

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Genetic transformation of the synaptic pattern of a motoneuron class in Caenorhabditis elegans
WW Walthall, JA Plunkett
Journal of Neuroscience 1 February 1995, 15 (2) 1035-1043; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.15-02-01035.1995
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