Xenbase Image ID: 170596

Figure 3 Establishment and maintenance of stochastic AWC asymmetry in C. elegans (A) Top: Intercellular calcium signaling through NSY-5 gap junctions coordinates the AWCON/AWCOFF decision. Calcium signaling in non-AWC cells of the NSY-5 gap junction network promotes or inhibits the AWCON subtype. Bottom: In the default AWCOFF cell (right), calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels activates CaMKII to trigger a MAPK cascade and the expression of AWCOFF genes. In the induced AWCON cell (left), NSY-5 gap junctions, SLO BK potassium channels, and NSY-4 claudins suppress calcium channel-mediated signaling to promote the expression of AWCON genes. AWCON/AWCOFF orientation here is displayed as left/right, but can also occur in the opposite orientation. Red, active AWCON-promoting molecules; green, active AWCOFF-promoting molecules; grey, less active or inactive molecules. (B) Maintenance of AWC asymmetry. Red, active AWCON-maintaining molecules; green, active AWCOFF-maintaining molecules; grey, less active or inactive molecules. (Inset) A diagram of a worm head that demonstrates anatomical position of AWC and ASE neuron pairs. Anterior is to the top. Image published in: Alqadah A et al. (2018) Copyright © 2018. Image reproduced with permission of the Publisher, John Wiley & Sons. Larger Image Printer Friendly View

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