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Learning the Biochemical Basis of Axonal Guidance: Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model.
Teixeira-Castro, Andreia; Sousa, João Carlos; Vieira, Cármen; Pereira-Sousa, Joana; Vilasboas-Campos, Daniela; Marques, Fernanda; Pinto-do-Ó, Perpétua; Maciel, Patrícia.
Afiliación
  • Teixeira-Castro A; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
  • Sousa JC; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal.
  • Vieira C; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
  • Pereira-Sousa J; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal.
  • Vilasboas-Campos D; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
  • Marques F; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal.
  • Pinto-do-Ó P; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
  • Maciel P; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal.
Biomedicines ; 11(6)2023 Jun 16.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37371826
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.
Palabras clave

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Tipo de estudio: Guideline Idioma: En Revista: Biomedicines Año: 2023 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Portugal

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Tipo de estudio: Guideline Idioma: En Revista: Biomedicines Año: 2023 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Portugal