AST-1, a novel ETS-box transcription factor, controls axon guidance and pharynx development in C. elegans

Neurons send out axons and dendrites over large distances into target areas where they eventually form synapses with selected target cells. Axonal navigation is controlled by a variety of extracellular signals and neurons express receptors only for that subset of signals they need to navigate to their own target area. How the expression of axon guidance receptors is regulated is not understood. In genetic screens for mutants with axon guidance defects, we identified an ETS-domain transcription factor, AST-1, specifically required for axon navigation in certain classes of interneurons. In addition, ast-1 has a role in the differentiation of the ventral cord pioneer neuron AVG. Outside the nervous system, ast-1 is essential for morphogenesis of the pharynx. Ast-1 is transiently expressed in several classes of neurons (including AVG) during neuronal differentiation with a peak expression during late stages of neuronal differentiation and axon outgrowth. Ast-1 genetically interacts with other transcription factors controlling neuronal differentiation like lin-11 and zag-1 as well as components of the netrin pathway suggesting that ast-1 might control the expression of components of the netrin signal transduction machinery.