Abstract
Sensory systems generally contain a number of neuronal subtypes that express distinct sensory receptor proteins. This diversity is generated through deterministic and stochastic cell fate choices, while maintaining the subtype often requires a distinct mechanism. In a study published in the February 1, 2009, issue of Genes & Development, Lesch and colleagues (pp. 345-358) describe a new transcription factor, NSY-7, that acts to stabilize a stochastic subtype choice in AWC chemosensory neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Body Patterning / genetics
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Body Patterning / physiology
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Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology*
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development*
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Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
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Cell Differentiation*
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Larva / growth & development
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Larva / metabolism
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Olfactory Nerve / cytology*
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Olfactory Nerve / growth & development*
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Signal Transduction
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Stochastic Processes
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
Substances
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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Transcription Factors