GENETIC-CONTROL OF DIFFERENTIATION OF THE CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS TOUCH RECEPTOR NEURONS
GENETIC-CONTROL OF DIFFERENTIATION OF THE CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS TOUCH RECEPTOR NEURONS
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DOI：
10.1126/science.2646709
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发表时间：
1989-02-24
期刊：
影响因子：
56.9
通讯作者：
AU, M
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
CHALFIE, M;AU, M
神经元分化的遗传控制已被研究，通过检查突变，影响线虫的六个触摸受体神经元的发育和功能。通过筛选触觉不敏感突变体，已经有可能确定18个基因（由417个突变代表），这些基因在触觉细胞分化的发育程序的各个阶段都是必需的。其中两个基因是触觉细胞谱系中产生前体所必需的;没有前体，触觉细胞就不会产生。第三个基因mec-3可能通过充当转录因子来指定触觉细胞的分化。剩下的15个基因可能是mec-3作用的靶点;这些基因缺陷的突变体会产生无功能但分化的触觉细胞。其中一些基因是形成触觉细胞的细胞特异性成分所必需的，例如仅在这些细胞中发现的一组微管。对触觉基因的研究应该有助于我们理解触觉细胞的命运是如何决定的，微管的形式是如何指定的，也许还有机械刺激是如何转导的。
The genetic control of neuronal differentiation has been studied by examining mutations that affect the development and function of the six touch receptor neurons of the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. By screening for touch-insensitive mutants, it has been possible to identify 18 genes (represented by 417 mutations) that are required at various stages in the developmental program for touch cell differentiation. Two of the genes are needed for the generation of precursors in the touch cell lineages; without the precursors, touch cells are not made. A third gene,mec-3, specifies the differentiation of the touch cells, probably by acting as a transcription factor. The remaining 15 genes are likely targets ofmec-3action; mutants defective in these genes have nonfunctioning, yet differentiated, touch cells. Some of these latter genes are needed for the formation of cell-specific components of the touch cells, such as a set of microtubules that are only found in these cells. The study of the touch genes should help us understand how touch cell fate is determined, how microtubule form is specified, and, perhaps, how mechanical stimuli are transduced.