title: Maintaining a stochastic neuronal cell fate decision.
abstract: Sensory systems generally contain a number of neuronal subtypes that express distinct sensory receptor proteins. This diversity is generated through deterministic and stochastic cell fate choices, while maintaining the subtype often requires a distinct mechanism. In a study published in the February 1, 2009, issue of Genes & Development, Lesch and colleagues (pp. 345-358) describe a new transcription factor, NSY-7, that acts to stabilize a stochastic subtype choice in AWC chemosensory neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vasiliauskas
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Desplan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors