srw-85 expression is controlled by the basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor cnd-1/NeuroD1
Disciplines
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Abstract (300 words maximum)
To drive cell fate specification, differentiation and the overall development of the nervous system, it is essential to have the right pro-neural transcription factors and cell signaling pathways to mediate these processes. What is of particular interest are the downstream targets of these pro-neural factors and the lack of research being done in understanding their relevance in the neuro development. Unpublished data has identified a small number of genes controlled by the pro-neural transcription factor cnd-1. This protein is a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors and is orthologous to human NeuroD1. cnd-1 mutants were previously shown to have defects in axon morphology as well as in cell fate specification, so by studying this transcription factor and its possible targets, we can assess its role in neuronal cell fate specification. The question then is how can we find genes that are controlled by cnd-1 and the role they play in the development of the nervous system? We performed RNAseq assays and bioinformatics, comparing RNA transcripts from WT and cnd-1 mutant embryos. We identified a set of cnd-1 downstream targets that show significant p-values when comparing transcripts isolated from WT and cnd-1 mutants. We are validating these targets using GFP reporter genes and genetic approaches. Preliminary data indicates that the G protein-coupled receptor gene srw-85 is strongly regulated by cnd-1. In addition, we find that srw-85 is exclusively expressed in a single pair of sensory neurons.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Martin Hudson
srw-85 expression is controlled by the basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor cnd-1/NeuroD1
To drive cell fate specification, differentiation and the overall development of the nervous system, it is essential to have the right pro-neural transcription factors and cell signaling pathways to mediate these processes. What is of particular interest are the downstream targets of these pro-neural factors and the lack of research being done in understanding their relevance in the neuro development. Unpublished data has identified a small number of genes controlled by the pro-neural transcription factor cnd-1. This protein is a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors and is orthologous to human NeuroD1. cnd-1 mutants were previously shown to have defects in axon morphology as well as in cell fate specification, so by studying this transcription factor and its possible targets, we can assess its role in neuronal cell fate specification. The question then is how can we find genes that are controlled by cnd-1 and the role they play in the development of the nervous system? We performed RNAseq assays and bioinformatics, comparing RNA transcripts from WT and cnd-1 mutant embryos. We identified a set of cnd-1 downstream targets that show significant p-values when comparing transcripts isolated from WT and cnd-1 mutants. We are validating these targets using GFP reporter genes and genetic approaches. Preliminary data indicates that the G protein-coupled receptor gene srw-85 is strongly regulated by cnd-1. In addition, we find that srw-85 is exclusively expressed in a single pair of sensory neurons.