title: The terminal differentiation factor LIN-29 is required for proper vulval morphogenesis and egg laying in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: Caenorhabditis elegans vulval development culminates during exit from the L4-to-adult molt with the formation of an opening through the adult hypodermis and cuticle that is used for egg laying and mating. Vulva formation requires the heterochronic gene lin-29, which triggers hypodermal cell terminal differentiation during the final molt. lin-29 mutants are unable to lay eggs or mate because no vulval opening forms; instead, a protrusion forms at the site of the vulva. We demonstrate through analysis of genetic mosaics that lin-29 is absolutely required in a small subset of lateral hypodermal seam cells, adjacent to the vulva, for wild-type vulva formation and egg laying. However, lin-29 function is not strictly limited to the lateral hypodermis. First, LIN-29 accumulates in many non-hypodermal cells with known roles in vulva formation or egg laying. Second, animals homozygous for one lin-29 allele, ga94, have the vulval defect and cannot lay eggs, despite having a terminally differentiated adult lateral hypodermis. Finally, vulval morphogenesis and egg laying requires lin-29 activity within the EMS lineage, a lineage that does not generate hypodermal cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55108, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bettinger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Euling
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rougvie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000235:genetics; D018388:Codon, Terminator; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva; D009030:Mosaicism; D009154:Mutation; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D014599:Uterus / Q000254:growth & development; D014844:Vulva / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D018388:Codon, Terminator; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C095571:LIN-29 protein, C elegans; D014157:Transcription Factors