Stress-induced phenocopy of C. elegans defines functional steps of sensory organ differentiation.
The differentiation of male specific sensory rays in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a complex process regulated by multiple genetic components. A novel approach with heat shock treatment was employed to show that multistep regulation is involved in this process. Intervention in this stepwise regulation resulted in phenocopy of specific gene mutations. The results suggest that differential gene function acting at a precise time frame is necessary to guide the normal differentiation of sensory rays.
Chow
K L
KL
Department of Biology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong. bokchow@usthk.ust.hk
Chan
K W
KW
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D018869:Heat-Shock Response; D006361:Heating; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014157:Transcription Factors
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C098124:Mab-21 protein, C elegans; D014157:Transcription Factors; C095405:vab-3 protein, C elegans