The type I membrane protein EFF-1 is essential for developmental cell fusion.
Multinucleate cells are widespread in nature, yet the mechanism by which cells fuse their plasma membranes is poorly understood. To identify animal fusogens, we performed new screens for mutations that abolish cell fusion within tissues of C. elegans throughout development. We identified the gene eff-1, which is expressed as cells acquire fusion competence and encodes a novel integral membrane protein. EFF-1 sequence motifs suggest physicochemical actions that could cause adjacent bilayers to fuse. Mutations in the extracellular domain of EFF-1 completely block epithelial cell membrane fusion without affecting other perfusion events such as cell generation, patterning, differentiation, and adhesion. Thus, EFF-1 is a key component in the mechanism of cell fusion, a process essential to normal animal development.
Mohler
William A
WA
Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA. wmohler@neuron.uchc.edu
Shemer
Gidi
G
del Campo
Jacob J
JJ
Valansi
Clari
C
Opoku-Serebuoh
Eugene
E
Scranton
Victoria
V
Assaf
Nirit
N
White
John G
JG
Podbilewicz
Benjamin
B
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002459:Cell Fusion; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000254:growth & development; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D014844:Vulva / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development
D006023:Glycoproteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins