Genetics of intercellular signalling in C. elegans.
Cell-cell interactions play a significant role in controlling cell fate during development of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. It has been found that two genes, glp-1 and lin-12, are required for many of these decisions. glp-1 is required for induction of mitotic proliferation in the germline by the somatic distal tip cell and for induction of the anterior pharynx early in embryogenesis. lin-12 is required for the interactions between cells of equivalent developmental potential, which allow them to take on different fates. Comparison of these two genes on a molecular level indicates that they are similar in sequence and organization, suggesting that the mechanisms of these two different sets of cell-cell interactions are similar.
Austin
J
J
Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Graduate School, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Maine
E M
EM
Kimble
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000196:embryology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction