Mosaic analysis of the let-23 gene function in vulval induction of Caenorhabditis elegans.
The let-23 receptor tyrosine kinase gene is required for vulval induction and larval survival in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We carried out genetic mosaic analyses of the let-23 gene function by using the cloned let-23 and ncl-1 genes. The wild-type let-23 gene was required in a vulval precursor cell to adopt the 1 degree vulval fate in animals carrying a let-23 vulvaless or lethal chromosomal mutation. In almost all the animals, vulval precursor cells adjacent to a 1 degree fate cell were induced to the 2 degrees vulval fate regardless of the let-23 genotypes. These findings indicate that the vulval induction signal from an anchor cell induces a vulval precursor cell to adopt the 1 degree fate through LET-23, and then a 1 degree fate cell induces adjacent cells to adopt the 2 degrees fate, for which LET-23 is not required. Foci of lethality of the let-23 (mn23) mutation were found in ABal and ABplp lineages.
Koga
M
M
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Ohshima
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D004627:Embryonic Induction / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D009030:Mosaicism; D014844:Vulva / Q000196:embryology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors; C085873:let-23 protein, C elegans