title: Two C. elegans genes control the programmed deaths of specific cells in the pharynx.
abstract: The genes ces-1 and ces-2 control the decisions of two cells in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to undergo programmed cell death. Mutations that cause a gain of ces-1 function or a reduction of ces-2 function prevent these cells, the sisters of the two pharyngeal NSM neurons, from dying. These mutations do not affect most other cell deaths. Genetic studies indicate that ces-1 and ces-2 affect the fates of the NSM sisters by regulating the genes required for all programmed cell deaths to occur.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, M.I.T. Cambridge 02139.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Horvitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000235:genetics*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005809:Genes, Regulator / Q000502:physiology*; D005838:Genotype; D016296:Mutagenesis; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype