DVA

Type: Interneuron, stretch sensitive sensory neuron
In MoW: DVA
Male Wiring Project: DVA
In Wormbase: DVA
Lineage: AB prppppapp
Location: Dorsorectal ganglion
Description: Ring interneurons
Neurotransmitter/ Neuropeptide:
- Acetylcholine
[N.B. DVA is cholinergic, while DVC is not]
(Pereira et al., 2015; Duerr et al, 2008)

Innexin expression:
- INX-3
- INX-7
- INX-10
- INX-13
- INX-17
- INX-18
- UNC-7
(Altun et al., 2009)
Receptor expression:
- Possibly GGR-3; GABA-A/glycine receptor-like protein
- GLR-4; glutamate receptor subunit
- GLR-5; glutamate receptor subunit
- NMR-1; glutamate receptor subunit
- SER-2; tyramine receptor (a splice variant)
- SER-4; serotonin receptor, variably expressed (the neuron can be DVC instead)
- TRP-4; mechanosensitive TRPN channel
(Li et al., 2006; (Tsalik et al., 2003; Brockie et al., 2001; Fujiwara et al., 1996)


Function:
- Mechanosensory integration. The PVD and DVA neurons are presynaptic to both the forward and backing interneurons, and provide input to both the anterior and posterior touch circuits. Animals lacking these neurons respond to tap stimulus with diminished forward accelerations and reversals. These neurons, therefore, seem to maintain the overall activity of the touch circuit (Wicks et al., 1996; Driscoll and Kaplan, 1997; Goodman, 2007). DVA represents a stretch receptor neuron that regulates sensory-motor integration during C. elegans locomotion. trp-4, a homologue of the mechanosensitive TRPN channel, acts as a stretch-sensitive proprioceptor in DVA. DVA both positively and negatively modulates locomotion, providing a unique mechanism whereby a single neuron can fine-tune motor activity (Li et al., 2006)


Click image for closeup view Click pictures for higher resolution images


 
Click here for larger version
 

DVA (AB prppppapp) development in the embryo. Dorsal view. Bottom is left side of the embryo. Spheres indicate individual nuclei. Black sphere: ancestors of DVA; dark grey spheres: apoptotic cells; other cells follow the WA color code (after they acquire specific cell or tissue identities). 0 min is fertilization. Click on the movie for higher resolution rendition (by A. Santella & Z. Bao).


Last revision: November 26, 2013
image