The role of a TGF-beta family morphogen DAF-7 in modulating synaptic transmission at Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction.

Abstract

Morphogens are signalling molecules with prominent effects in the development of an organism. Morphogens form a long range concentration gradient by diffusing from their source (Tabata and Takei, 2004). Fate of a cell responding to a particular morphogen depends upon its localization along the concentration gradient (Charron and Tessier- Lavigne, 2007) . Recent findings suggest that along with their role in development, morphogens also play a role in axon development and guidance during developmentthe nervous system (Sanchez-Camacho and Bovolenta, 2009). This project aims to study and find out the role of DAF-7, a TGF-beta family morphogen in modulating synaptic transmission at C. elegans neuromuscular junction. of