Type: Motor neuron
In MoW: PDA
Male Wiring Project: PDA
In Wormbase: PDA
Lineage: AB prpppaaaa (in herm), Y.a (in male)
Location: Preanal ganglion
Description: During the second larval stage (L2), the rectal epithelial cell Y withdraws from the epithelium, migrates anterodorsally, and then becomes the PDA neuron through a transdifferentiation event while P12.pa, born at the end of the L1 stage just anterior to the position of Y, replaces Y in the rectum, completing the toroid with B epithelial cell. (Sulston and Horvitz 1977). The dorsal cord process of PDA ends in the posterior part of the body.

In male, Y divides and the anterior daughter becomes PDA. Hermaphrodites and males exhibit some differences in PDA connectivity.
Neurotransmitter/ Neuropeptide:
- Acetylcholine
(Pereira et al., 2015)
Innexin expression:
- UNC-9
(Altun et al., 2009)
Receptor expression:
- EXP-1; excitatory GABA receptor subunit
- UNC-8, a DEG/ENaC family member homologous to subunits of a candidate mechanically gated ion channel
(Beg and Jorgensen, 2003, also pers. comm.; Tavernarakis et al., 1997)
Function:
- Innervates posterior dorsal body wall muscles