Cell-Cell Interactions in the Guidance of Late-Developing Neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

The initial outgrowth of developing neuronal processes can be affected by a number of extrinsic interactions. Cell-cell interactions are also important in a later stage of neuronal outgrowth when processes grow into the region of their targets. The correct positioning of the process of a postembryonic sensory neuron, the touch cell AVM of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, at its synaptic targets requires the presence of a pair of embryonic interneurons, the BDU cells. These cells receive synapses from AVM but do not participate in the touch reflex circuit. Therefore, the AVM-BDU synapses may be required to stabilize the association between these cells and assist in the guidance of the AVM processes through a mature neuropil.