title: UNC-52/perlecan isoform diversity and function in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: The unc-52 gene encodes the nematode homologue of mammalian perlecan, the major heparan sulphate proteoglycan of the extracellular matrix. This is a large complex protein with regions similar to low-density lipoprotein receptors, laminin and neural cell-adhesion molecules. Three major classes of UNC-52/perlecan isoforms are produced through alternative splicing, and these distinct proteins exhibit complex spatial and temporal expression patterns throughout development. The unc-52 gene plays an essential role in myofilament assembly in body-wall muscle during embryonic development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Rogalski
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gilchrist
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Moerman
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011509:Proteoglycans; C082396:unc-52 protein, C elegans; C071927:perlecan