The anaphase-promoting complex and separin are required for embryonic anterior-posterior axis formation.
Polarization of the one-cell C. elegans embryo establishes the animal's anterior-posterior (a-p) axis. We have identified reduction-of-function anaphase-promoting complex (APC) mutations that eliminate a-p polarity. We also demonstrate that the APC activator cdc20 is required for polarity. The APC excludes PAR-3 from the posterior cortex, allowing PAR-2 to accumulate there. The APC is also required for tight cortical association and posterior movement of the paternal pronucleus and its associated centrosome. Depletion of the protease separin, a downstream target of the APC, causes similar pronuclear and a-p polarity defects. We propose that the APC/separin pathway promotes close association of the centrosome with the cortex, which in turn excludes PAR-3 from the posterior pole early in a-p axis formation.
Rappleye
Chad A
CA
Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Tagawa
Akiko
A
Lyczak
Rebecca
R
Bowerman
Bruce
B
Aroian
Raffi V
RV
D000483:Alleles; D064173:Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome; D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D064199:Cdc20 Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016764:Cell Polarity; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D010450:Endopeptidases; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008025:Ligases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D064247:Separase; D043743:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes
C577495:CDC20 protein, S cerevisiae; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D064199:Cdc20 Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C087977:par-2 protein, C elegans; D043743:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes; D064173:Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome; C097238:PAR-3 protein, C elegans; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D010450:Endopeptidases; D064247:Separase; D008025:Ligases