DAF-7/TGF-beta expression required for the normal larval development in C. elegans is controlled by a presumed guanylyl cyclase DAF-11.
In C. elegans development, unfavorable growth conditions lead a larva to an arrested and enduring form called a dauer. To elucidate components upstream of DAF-7/TGF-beta in this control pathway, we isolated a mutant that was defective in daf-7 promoter::gfp reporter expression and showed an arrested (dauer-constitutive) phenotype. It has a new mutation in the daf-11 gene encoding a transmembrane guanylyl cyclase. We show that daf-11 gene and a related gene daf-21 act upstream of daf-7, and cilium-related genes che-2 and che-3 are placed between daf-11 and daf-7, in the genetic pathway controlling dauer formation. Expression of daf-11 cDNA by cell specific promoters suggests that daf-11 acts cell autonomously in ASI chemosensory neurons for daf-7 expression.
Murakami
M
M
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University Graduate School, Hakozaki, 812-8581, Fukuoka, Japan.
Koga
M
M
Ohshima
Y
Y
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D019677:Artificial Gene Fusion; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009474:Neurons; D010641:Phenotype; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C102095:DAF-7 protein, C elegans; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase