A novel thioredoxin-like protein encoded by the C. elegans dpy-11 gene is required for body and sensory organ morphogenesis.
Sensory ray morphogenesis in C. elegans requires active cellular interaction regulated by multiple genetic activities. We report here the cloning of one of these genes, dpy-11, which encodes a membrane-associated thioredoxin-like protein. The DPY-11 protein is made exclusively in the hypodermis and resides in the cytoplasmic compartment. Whereas the TRX domain of DPY-11 displays a catalytic activity in vitro, mapping of lesions in different mutant alleles and functional analysis of deletion transgenes reveal that both this enzymatic activity and transmembrane topology are essential for determining body shape and ray morphology. Based on the abnormal features in both the expressing and non-expressing ray cells, we propose that the DPY-11 is required in the hypodermis for modification of its substrates. In turn, ray cell interaction and the whole morphogenetic process can be modulated by these substrate molecules.
Ko
Frankie C F
FC
Department of Biology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Chow
King L
KL
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000254:growth & development*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C450827:DPY-11 protein, C elegans; D008565:Membrane Proteins