Type: Interneuron
In MoW: DVA
Male Wiring Project: DVA
In Wormbase: DVA
Lineage: AB prppppapp
Location: Dorsorectal ganglion
Description: Ring interneurons
Neurotransmitter:
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 porprioceptor 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).
Receptor Expression: Expresses glutamate receptor subunits, GLR-4, GLR-5 and NMR-1 (Brockie et al., 2001). Expresses a splice variant of the tyramine receptor SER-2 (Tsalik et al., 2003). Variably expresses the serotonin receptor SER-4 (can be instead DVC neuron) (Tsalik et al., 2003). Suggested to express GABA-A/glycine receptor-like protein GGR-3 (Fujiwara et al., 1996).