Studying the function of cnd-1 in the development of RME motor neurons and normal movement of worms.
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Martin Hudson, Ph.D.
Department
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Abstract
CND-1 is a basic helix loop helix transcription factor found in the nematode C. elegans. cnd-1 gene is homolog of the human neuroD1 gene. In early embryogenesis, cnd-1 is required for regulating gene expression in nervous system development, specifically in motor neuron fate specification. cnd-1 mutant shows several abnormal behaviors compared to wildtype worms, and one of the abnormal behaviors is frequent head lift. Our meticulous observation on head movement revealed that frequency of head lift is high in cnd-1(gk718) mutant both qualitatively and quantitatively compared to wildtype. RME neuron is set of four motor neurons necessary for normal head movement of the worms. RME neurons are located at the head region which innervate head muscles with neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in the nerve ring. Imaging analysis of RME neurons tagged to Green fluorescent protein marker showed that some of the RME cells are missing.
Disciplines
Behavioral Neurobiology | Cell and Developmental Biology | Developmental Neuroscience | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Studying the function of cnd-1 in the development of RME motor neurons and normal movement of worms.
CND-1 is a basic helix loop helix transcription factor found in the nematode C. elegans. cnd-1 gene is homolog of the human neuroD1 gene. In early embryogenesis, cnd-1 is required for regulating gene expression in nervous system development, specifically in motor neuron fate specification. cnd-1 mutant shows several abnormal behaviors compared to wildtype worms, and one of the abnormal behaviors is frequent head lift. Our meticulous observation on head movement revealed that frequency of head lift is high in cnd-1(gk718) mutant both qualitatively and quantitatively compared to wildtype. RME neuron is set of four motor neurons necessary for normal head movement of the worms. RME neurons are located at the head region which innervate head muscles with neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in the nerve ring. Imaging analysis of RME neurons tagged to Green fluorescent protein marker showed that some of the RME cells are missing.