Control of neuronal subtype identity by the C. elegans ARID protein CFI-1

Genes Dev. 2002 Apr 15;16(8):972-83. doi: 10.1101/gad.976002.

Abstract

The Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodite nervous system is composed of 302 neurons that fall into at least 118 diverse classes. Here we describe cfi-1, a gene that contributes to the development of neuronal diversity. cfi-1 promotes appropriate differentiation of the URA sensory neurons and inhibits URA from expressing the male-specific CEM neuronal fate. The UNC-86 POU homeodomain protein is present in CEM and URA neurons, and can promote expression of CEM-specific genes in both CEM and URA, but CFI-1 inhibits expression of these genes in the URA cells. cfi-1 also promotes appropriate differentiation and glutamate receptor expression in the AVD and PVC interneurons. cfi-1 encodes a conserved neuron- and muscle-restricted DNA-binding protein containing an A/T rich interaction domain (ARID). ARID proteins regulate early patterning and muscle fate in Drosophila, but they have not previously been implicated in the control of neuronal subtype identity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Homeobox
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscles / metabolism
  • Nervous System / cytology
  • Nervous System / embryology
  • Nervous System / metabolism
  • Neurons / classification*
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • POU Domain Factors
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology
  • Receptors, Glutamate / biosynthesis
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • CFI-1 protein, C elegans
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • POU Domain Factors
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Transcription Factors
  • unc-86 protein, C elegans