Table 1.
Genetic and functional sex differences in non-sex-specific C. elegans neurons
| A. Sexually dimorphic gene expression in shared neurons | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gene | Site of sexually dimorphic expression |
Description |
| odr-10 | AWA | High expression in adult hermaphrodites; low in adult males * |
| srj-54 | AIM | Male-specific expression in adults [26] |
| mab-3 | ADF | Male-specific expression [12] |
| srd-1 | ADF | Male-specific expression [25] |
| B. Behaviors controlled by sex-specific modulation of shared neurons/circuits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sexually modulated behavior |
Site of sexual modulation | Evidence |
| Diacetyl attraction/Food-seeking | AWA | Genetic sex-reversal of AWA * |
| Ascaroside attraction | ASK, ADL and others | Laser ablation [41,44] and genetic sex-reversal ** |
| Non-ascaroside attraction | AWA, AWC and many additional candidates | Laser ablation and genetic sex reversal [46] |
| Locomotion | Sensory neurons | Genetic sex-reversal [34] |
| Sex-specific behavior | ||
| Male Mating | Sensory neurons | Genetic sex-reversal *** |
| Male Food-leaving | Sensory neurons | Genetic sex-reversal *** |
| Hermaphrodite Egg Laying | Sensory neurons | Genetic sex-reversal *** |
*
Ryan et al., submitted
**
K.A.F. and D.S.P., unpublished data
***
Renee M. Miller and D.S.P., unpublished data