# The DPY-14 cuticle collagen regulates left-right asymmetric neuronal migration in Caenorhabditis elegans

## TL;DR

This study shows that the cuticle collagen DPY-14 helps control left-right asymmetry in the migration of Q neuroblasts in C. elegans.

## Contribution

The paper identifies DPY-14 as a new extracellular matrix component involved in neuronal migration asymmetry.

## Key findings

- DPY-14 genetically interacts with DPY-17 and SQT-3 in regulating Q neuroblast migration.
- DPY-14 may contribute to left-right asymmetry in the extracellular matrix.
- No classical secreted paracrine growth factor was previously identified for this process.

## Abstract

Nervous systems of bilaterally-symmetric animals display left-right asymmetries in development. In

Caenorhabditis elegans

, the Q neuroblasts display left-right asymmetry of migration, with QR on the right migrating anteriorly and QL on the left migrating posteriorly. Previous worked showed that a group of transmembrane receptor molecules including
UNC-40
/DCC and
PTP-3
/LAR control direction of initial Q migration. However, no classical secreted paracrine growth factor has been identified. Previous work showed that molecules in the extracellular matrix are involved, including
UNC-52
/Perlecan and the cuticle collagens
DPY-17
and
SQT-3
. This report shows that the cuticle collagen
DPY-14
is also involved, and genetically acts with
DPY-17
and
SQT-3
, possibly in a collagen trimer.
DPY-14
might be a component of an inherent left-right chirality in the extracellular matrix that directs left-right asymmetric Q neuroblast migration.