Control of C. elegans larval development by neuronal expression of a TGF-beta homolog.
basic_science · Level V
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Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans dauer larva is specialized for dispersal without growth and is formed under conditions of overcrowding and limited food. The daf-7 gene, required for transducing environmental cues that support continuous development with plentiful food, encodes a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily member. A daf-7 reporter construct is expressed in the ASI chemosensory neurons. Dauer-inducing pheromone inhibits daf-7 expression and promotes dauer formation, whereas food reactivates daf-7 expression and promotes recovery from the dauer state. When the food/pheromone ratio is high, the level of daf-7 mRNA peaks during the L1 larval stage, when commitment to non-dauer development is made.
Medical subject headings
- Caenorhabditis elegans
- Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
- Helminth Proteins
- Neurons, Afferent
- Transforming Growth Factor beta