PDA

Type: Motor neuron
Connectivity:
- In MoW: PDA
- In WormWiring: PDAh PDAm
- In Nemanode: 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:
- Betaine
- Acetylcholine
(Wang et al., 2024; Pereira et al., 2015)
Innexin expression:
- INX-1a
- INX-10a
- INX-14
- INX-18a
- UNC-9
(Altun et al., 2009; Bhattacharya et al., 2019)
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
Reporters:
- At CGC:
- Other:
Click image for closeup view Click pictures for higher resolution images

Hermaphrodite:

Male:



 
 

Click here for larger version
PDA (AB prpppaaaa) development in the embryo. Dorsal view. Bottom is left side of the embryo. Spheres indicate individual nuclei. Black sphere: ancestors of PDA; 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: June 12, 2025

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