UNC-6 and UNC-40 promote dendritic growth through PAR-4 in Caenorhabditis elegans neurons

Question 1

findings

Answer 1

We found that the guidance cue
UNC-6 (Netrin) is required for both axon and dendrite development. Its repulsive receptor UNC-5 repelled the axon from the ventral cell body, whereas the attractive receptor UNC-40 (DCC) was dendritically enriched and promotes antero- posterior dendritic growth. Although the endogenous ventrally secreted UNC-6 instructs axon guidance, dorsal or even membrane- tethered UNC-6 could support dendrite development. Unexpectedly, the serine-threonine kinase PAR-4 (LKB1) was selectively required for the activity of the UNC-40 pathway in
dendrite outgrowth.

Question 2

findings sugest that

Answer 2

suggest that axon and dendrite of one neuron interpret common environmental cues with different receptors and downstream signaling pathways