A RHO GTPase-mediated pathway is required during P cell migration in Caenorhabditis elegans.
The Rho family of guanine triphosphate hydrolases controls various cellular processes, including cell migration. We describe here the demonstration of a role for a RhoA GTPase homologue during cell migration in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that eliminating or reducing rho-1 gene function by using a dominant-negative transgene or dsRNA interference results in a severe defect in migration of hypodermal P cells to a ventral position. Biochemical and genetic data also suggest that unc-73, which encodes a Trio-like guanine nucleotide exchange factor, may act as an activator of rho-1 in the migration process. Mutations in let-502 ROCK, a homologue of a RhoA effector in mammals, also cause defects in P cell migration, suggesting that it may be one of several effectors acting downstream of rho-1 during P cell migration. Finally, we provide evidence to support the idea that other small Rac subfamily small GTPases act redundantly and in parallel to RHO-1 in this specific cell migration event.
Spencer
A G
AG
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0347, USA.
Orita
S
S
Malone
C J
CJ
Han
M
M
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins