Loss of G Protein gpa-12 Activity Disrupts Axon Growth in C. elegans

Abstract

Development of the nervous system requires the coordinated action of several signaling pathway networks. Various signaling pathways, including the highly conserved Wnt signaling pathway and G protein signaling pathways, regulate processes such as cell polarity, motility, and axis formation. In some systems, G proteins have been shown to act in Wnt signaling. However, in C. elegans, it is unknown whether G proteins are needed for Wnt signaling. Wnt signaling affects several aspects of C. elegans development, including axon growth and neuronal polarity of the ALM and PLM neurons. I used the mec-4