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Unique homeobox codes delineate all the neuron classes of C. elegans

Author

Listed:
  • Molly B. Reilly

    (Columbia University)

  • Cyril Cros

    (Columbia University)

  • Erdem Varol

    (Columbia University)

  • Eviatar Yemini

    (Columbia University)

  • Oliver Hobert

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

It is not known at present whether neuronal cell-type diversity—defined by cell-type-specific anatomical, biophysical, functional and molecular signatures—can be reduced to relatively simple molecular descriptors of neuronal identity1. Here we show, through examination of the expression of all of the conserved homeodomain proteins encoded by the Caenorhabditis elegans genome2, that the complete set of 118 neuron classes of C. elegans can be described individually by unique combinations of the expression of homeodomain proteins, thereby providing—to our knowledge—the simplest currently known descriptor of neuronal diversity. Computational and genetic loss-of-function analyses corroborate the notion that homeodomain proteins not only provide unique descriptors of neuron type, but also have a critical role in specifying neuronal identity. We speculate that the pervasive use of homeobox genes in defining unique neuronal identities reflects the evolutionary history of neuronal cell-type specification.

Suggested Citation

  • Molly B. Reilly & Cyril Cros & Erdem Varol & Eviatar Yemini & Oliver Hobert, 2020. "Unique homeobox codes delineate all the neuron classes of C. elegans," Nature, Nature, vol. 584(7822), pages 595-601, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:584:y:2020:i:7822:d:10.1038_s41586-020-2618-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2618-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Yongbin Li & Siyu Chen & Weihong Liu & Di Zhao & Yimeng Gao & Shipeng Hu & Hanyu Liu & Yuanyuan Li & Lei Qu & Xiao Liu, 2024. "A full-body transcription factor expression atlas with completely resolved cell identities in C. elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Rizwanul Haque & Sonu Peedikayil Kurien & Hagar Setty & Yehuda Salzberg & Gil Stelzer & Einav Litvak & Hila Gingold & Oded Rechavi & Meital Oren-Suissa, 2024. "Sex-specific developmental gene expression atlas unveils dimorphic gene networks in C. elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Bowen Dempsey & Selvee Sungeelee & Phillip Bokiniec & Zoubida Chettouh & Séverine Diem & Sandra Autran & Evan R. Harrell & James F. A. Poulet & Carmen Birchmeier & Harry Carey & Auguste Genovesio & Si, 2021. "A medullary centre for lapping in mice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Ruth Styfhals & Grygoriy Zolotarov & Gert Hulselmans & Katina I. Spanier & Suresh Poovathingal & Ali M. Elagoz & Seppe Winter & Astrid Deryckere & Nikolaus Rajewsky & Giovanna Ponte & Graziano Fiorito, 2022. "Cell type diversity in a developing octopus brain," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Weina Xu & Jinyi Liu & Huan Qi & Ruolin Si & Zhiguang Zhao & Zhiju Tao & Yuchuan Bai & Shipeng Hu & Xiaohan Sun & Yulin Cong & Haoye Zhang & Duchangjiang Fan & Long Xiao & Yangyang Wang & Yongbin Li &, 2024. "A lineage-resolved cartography of microRNA promoter activity in C. elegans empowers multidimensional developmental analysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Kellianne D. Alexander & Shankar Ramachandran & Kasturi Biswas & Christopher M. Lambert & Julia Russell & Devyn B. Oliver & William Armstrong & Monika Rettler & Samuel Liu & Maria Doitsidou & Claire B, 2023. "The homeodomain transcriptional regulator DVE-1 directs a program for synapse elimination during circuit remodeling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.
    7. Christopher P. Arnold & Analí Migueles Lozano & Frederick G. Mann & Stephanie H. Nowotarski & Julianna O. Haug & Jeffrey J. Lange & Chris W. Seidel & Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, 2021. "Hox genes regulate asexual reproductive behavior and tissue segmentation in adult animals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.

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