title: Cell-cell interactions in the guidance of late-developing neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: The initial outgrowth of developing neuronal processes can be affected by a number of extrinsic interactions. Cell-cell interactions are also important in a later stage of neuronal outgrowth when processes grow into the region of their targets. The correct positioning of the process of a postembryonic sensory neuron, the touch cell AVM of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, at its synaptic targets requires the presence of a pair of embryonic interneurons, the BDU cells. These cells receive synapses from AVM but do not participate in the touch reflex circuit. Therefore, the AVM-BDU synapses may be required to stabilize the association between these cells and assist in the guidance of the AVM processes through a mature neuropil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027.
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Walthall
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chalfie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis; D002450:Cell Communication; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*