UNC-52/perlecan affects gonadal leader cell migrations in C. elegans hermaphrodites through alterations in growth factor signaling

Dev Biol. 2003 Apr 1;256(1):173-86. doi: 10.1016/s0012-1606(03)00014-9.

Abstract

The unc-52 gene of Claenorhabditis elegans encodes a homologue of the basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan perlecan. Viable alleles reduce the abundance of UNC-52 in late larval stages and increase the frequency of distal tip cell (DTC) migration defects caused by mutations disrupting the UNC-6/netrin guidance system. These unc-52 alleles do not cause circumferential DTC migration defects in an otherwise wild-type genetic background. The effects of unc-52 mutations on DTC migrations are distinct from effects on myofilament organization and can be partially suppressed by mutations in several genes encoding growth factor-like molecules, including EGL-17/FGF, UNC-129/TGF-beta, DBL-1/TGF-beta, and EGL-20/WNT. We propose that UNC-52 serves dual roles in C. elegans larval development in the maintenance of muscle structure and the regulation of growth factor-like signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Disorders of Sex Development
  • Female
  • Genes, Helminth
  • Gonads / cytology*
  • Gonads / growth & development
  • Gonads / metabolism
  • Growth Substances / genetics
  • Growth Substances / metabolism
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics*
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Larva / cytology
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Larva / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Muscles / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Netrins
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / genetics
  • Proteoglycans / genetics*
  • Proteoglycans / metabolism
  • Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / genetics
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • EGL-15 protein, C elegans
  • Growth Substances
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Netrins
  • Proteoglycans
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • UNC-6 protein, C elegans
  • unc-52 protein, C elegans
  • UNC-5 protein, C elegans
  • CLR-1 protein, C elegans
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
  • Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases