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A model for UNC-8 involvement in stretch-regulated control of locomotion. Schematic diagram of potentiated and inactive VB class motor neurons. Neuro-muscular junctions (signified by triangles) are made near the cell body [135, 151]. Mechanically-activated channels postulated to include UNC-8 (and, possibly in VB motor neurons, DEL-1) subunits (signified by Y figures) are hypothesized to be concentrated at the synapse-free, undifferentiated ends of the VB neuron. Mechanically-gated channels could potentiate local excitation of muscle. Body stretch is postulated to activate mechanically-gated channels which potentiate the motor neuron signal that excites a specific muscle field. Sequential activation of motor neurons that are distributed along the ventral nerve cord and signal non-overlapping groups of muscles, amplifies and propagates the sinusoidal body wave (NMJ: neuromuscular junction). (See color insert # 5).