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Learning the Biochemical Basis of Axonal Guidance: Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model

Authors :
Andreia Teixeira-Castro
João Carlos Sousa
Cármen Vieira
Joana Pereira-Sousa
Daniela Vilasboas-Campos
Fernanda Marques
Perpétua Pinto-do-Ó
Patrícia Maciel
Source :
Biomedicines, Vol 11, Iss 6, p 1731 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Aim: Experimental models are a powerful aid in visualizing molecular phenomena. This work reports how the worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) can be effectively explored for students to learn how molecular cues dramatically condition axonal guidance and define nervous system structure and behavior at the organism level. Summary of work: A loosely oriented observational activity preceded detailed discussions on molecules implied in axonal migration. C. elegans mutants were used to introduce second-year medical students to the deleterious effects of gene malfunctioning in neuron response to extracellular biochemical cues and to establish links between molecular function, nervous system structure, and animal behavior. Students observed C. elegans cultures and associated animal behavior alterations with the lack of function of specific axon guidance molecules (the soluble cue netrin/UNC-6 or two receptors, DCC/UNC-40 and UNC-5H). Microscopical observations of these strains, in combination with pan-neuronal GFP expression, allowed optimal visualization of severely affected neurons. Once the list of mutated genes in each strain was displayed, students could also relate abnormal patterns in axon migration/ventral and dorsal nerve cord neuron formation in C. elegans with mutated molecular components homologous to those in humans. Summary of results: Students rated the importance and effectiveness of the activity very highly. Ninety-three percent found it helpful to grasp human axonal migration, and all students were surprised with the power of the model in helping to visualize the phenomenon.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
11061731 and 22279059
Volume :
11
Issue :
6
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biomedicines
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f9c246f5b1d94d08935fb855b3253c24
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11061731