A molecular map of the electrical connectome of C. elegans

Columbia Univ New York Morningside, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

In this resource-building, map-mapping proposal, we propose to decode the molecular composition of the electrical synapse network (?electrical connectome?) of the nematode C.elegans. Its >1,000 synaptic connection, made between 302 neurons, are likely generated by 12 distinct, electrical synapse forming proteins, called innexins, that assemble into distinct channel complexes. We propose to map the expression and localization pattern of all 12 neuronal innexin genes throughout the entire nervous system, with single neuron resolution and we propose to assign specific innexins to specific electrical synapses. Our work will lay the groundwork for understanding how the electrical connectome is established and for ensuing functional studies that probe the function of individual electrical synapses.