Type: Interneuron
In MoW: AVB
Male Wiring Project: AVBL_h, AVBR_h, AVBL_m, AVBR_m
In Wormbase: AVB, AVBL, AVBR
Lineage: AB plpaapaap, AB prpaapaap
Location: Lateral ganglia of head
Description: One of four bilaterally symmetric interneuron pairs (AVA, AVB, AVD, and PVC) with large-diameter axons that run the entire length of the ventral nerve cord and provide input to the ventral cord motor neurons. Synapse onto B-type (VB, DB) and AS motor neurons. Formerly called beta. In males, AVBR receives input from male-specific interneurons (Jarrell et al., 2012)
Neurotransmitter/ Neuropeptide:
- Acetylcholine
- PDF-1; pigment dispensing factor homolog
(Pereira et al., 2015; Barrios et al, 2012)
Innexin expression:
- INX-19
- UNC-7
(Altun et al., 2009)
Receptor expression:
- GLR-1 ; glutamate receptor subunit
- GLR-5; glutamate receptor subunit
- SRA-11; G protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptor
- Possibly GGR-3; GABA-A/glycine receptor-like protein
- UNC-8; mechanically gated ion channel subunit; amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel (ASC) protein (DEG/ENaC subunit)
(Brockie et al., 2001; Tavernarakis et al., 1997; Fujiwara et al., 1996; Maricq et al., 1995; Troemel et al., 1995).
Function: Command interneuron.
- Functions as driver cell for forward locomotion. Drives forward movement of the animal along with the touch modulator, PVC, and B-type motor neurons. See Locomotory circuit.