Otx/otd homeobox genes specify distinct sensory neuron identities in C. elegans.
The mechanisms by which the diverse functional identities of neurons are generated are poorly understood. C. elegans responds to thermal and chemical stimuli using 12 types of sensory neurons. The Otx/otd homolog ttx-1 specifies the identities of the AFD thermosensory neurons. We show here that ceh-36 and ceh-37, the remaining two Otx-like genes in the C. elegans genome, specify the identities of AWC, ASE, and AWB chemosensory neurons, defining a role for this gene family in sensory neuron specification. All C. elegans Otx genes and rat Otx1 can substitute for ceh-37 and ceh-36, but only ceh-37 functionally substitutes for ttx-1. Functional substitution in the AWB neurons is mediated by activation of the same downstream target lim-4 by different Otx genes. Misexpression experiments indicate that although the specific identity adopted upon expression of an Otx gene may be constrained by the cellular context, individual Otx genes preferentially promote distinct neuronal identities.
Lanjuin
Anne
A
Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.
VanHoven
Miri K
MK
Bargmann
Cornelia I
CI
Thompson
Julia K
JK
Sengupta
Piali
P
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D040342:Genetic Structures; D005838:Genotype; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007659:Ketones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009812:Odorants; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; D016415:Sequence Alignment
C476585:CEH-37 protein, C elegans; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007659:Ketones; D051857:Otx Transcription Factors; C093053:oc protein, Drosophila; C026636:2-nonanone