A neuron-specific antigen in C. elegans allows visualization of the entire nervous system.
In the present work, I describe an antiserum that specifically stains all neurons in C. elegans. This probe should facilitate developmental studies in this organism in the same way as anti-horseradish peroxidase has in Drosophila. The antiserum was raised against an 8 amino acid peptide representing part of an insect neuropeptide precursor, but there are no indications that this cross-reactivity reflects evolutionary homology. The antiserum allows the whole nervous system of C. elegans, including all cell bodies and processes, to be brightly stained. The subcellular staining pattern suggests that a cytoskeletal component is recognized. I have also isolated a mutation (e2481) that abolishes staining in all but 7 neurons, the 6 microtubule cells and 1 cell in the tail. Finally, I show that the pattern of staining in the nematode P. redivivus is similar to that seen in animals carrying the e2481 mutation.
Hekimi
S
S
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England.
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005724:Ganglia / Q000166:cytology; D007106:Immune Sera; D007814:Larva; D009154:Mutation; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015415:Biomarkers; D007106:Immune Sera