Spatial and temporal patterns of lin-12 expression during C. elegans hermaphrodite development.
The lin-12 gene encodes a receptor that mediates certain cell-cell interactions during Caenorhabditis elegans development. We have examined the expression of a lin-12::lacZ reporter gene in individual cells during the development of C. elegans hermaphrodites. lin-12::lacZ is expressed in a discrete spatial and temporal pattern during development and teh lin-12::lacZ reporter gene will provide a useful marker for other studies, particularly of somatic gonadal and vulval development. In general, the cells that express lin-12:: lacZ correspond to cells whose fates are known to be altered in lin-12 mutants implying that restriction of lin-12 expression may be an important regulatory mechanism; the exceptions to this statement may reveal the cellular defects that underlie aspects of the lin-12 phenotype that have not been previously explained. For decisions that are not naturally variable, lin-12::lacZ expression does not appear to change before or upon commitment to a cell fate implying that in these cases postranscriptional regulation of lin-12 activity may control cell fate specification.
Wilkinson
H A
HA
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Greenwald
I
I
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D010375:Pedigree; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000254:growth & development; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; C082460:Lin-12 protein, C elegans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D001616:beta-Galactosidase