SYD-1, a presynaptic protein with PDZ, C2 and rhoGAP-like domains, specifies axon identity in C. elegans.

Axons are defined by the presence of presynaptic specializations at specific locations. We show here that loss-of-function mutations in the C. elegans gene syd-1 cause presynaptic specializations to form in the dendritic processes of GABA-expressing motor neurons during initial differentiation. At a later developmental stage, however, syd-1 is not required for the polarity respecification of a subset of these neurons. The SYD-1 protein contains PDZ, C2 and rho-GTPase activating protein (GAP)-like domains, and is localized to presynaptic terminals in mature neurons. A truncated SYD-1 that lacks the rhoGAP domain interferes with neurite outgrowth and guidance. Our data indicate that syd-1 may be involved in specifying axon identity during initial polarity acquisition.