Distinct roles of transcription factors EGL-46 and DAF-19 in specifying the functionality of a polycystin-expressing sensory neuron necessary for C. elegans male vulva location behavior

Development. 2003 Nov;130(21):5217-27. doi: 10.1242/dev.00678. Epub 2003 Sep 3.

Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans polycystins LOV-1 and PKD-2 are expressed in the male-specific HOB neuron, and are necessary for sensation of the hermaphrodite vulva during mating. We demonstrate that male vulva location behavior and expression of lov-1 and pkd-2 in the ciliated sensory neuron HOB require the activities of transcription factor EGL-46 and to some extent also EGL-44. This EGL-46- regulated program is specific to HOB and is distinct from a general ciliogenic pathway functioning in all ciliated neurons. The ciliogenic pathway regulator DAF-19 affects downstream components of the HOB-specific program indirectly and is independent of EGL-46 activity. The sensory function of HOB requires the combined action of these two distinct regulatory pathways.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / anatomy & histology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Disorders of Sex Development
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons, Afferent / cytology
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DAF-19 protein, C elegans
  • EGL-46 protein, C elegans
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • Transcription Factors
  • polycystic kidney disease 1 protein
  • polycystic kidney disease 2 protein