Different levels of the C. elegans growth factor LIN-3 promote distinct vulval precursor fates.
An invariant spatial pattern of three cell fates (3 degrees-3 degrees-2 degrees-1 degree-2 degrees-3 degrees) is generated from a field of multipotent precursor cells during C. elegans vulval development. We demonstrate that the epidermal growth factor-like domain of the LIN-3 protein can induce either of two distinct vulval cell fates: a high dose of LIN-3 induces a 1 degree fate; a lower dose of LIN-3 induces a 2 degrees fate. A high dose of LIN-3 can also induce adjacent vulval precursor cells to assume 1 degree fates; thus, high levels of LIN-3 can override the lateral signaling that normally inhibits formation of adjacent 1 degree fates. We propose that the invariant pattern of vulval cell fates is generated by a graded distribution of LIN-3 that promotes different vulval fates according to local concentration and by a lateral signal that reinforces this initial bias.
Katz
W S
WS
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA.
Hill
R J
RJ
Clandinin
T R
TR
Sternberg
P W
PW
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014844:Vulva / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D015801:Helminth Proteins; C075912:Lin-3 protein, C elegans; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor