PDE - Postdeirid sensory neuron

PDE - Postdeirid sensory neuron of C. elegans

PDE neuron stained with serotonin antiserum and a TRITC-conjugated secondary antibody. Worms were first exposed to the immediate precursor to serotonin, 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). Identified DA neurons also take up 5HTP and convert it to serotonin with an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (the same AAADC is used for making serotonin and dopamine), thus becoming serotonin-immunoreactive. Dorsal is up. The soma is located subdorsally in the body wall; the sensory dendrite extends dorsally into the cuticle and a single axon extends ventrally to the ventral nerve cord.