A small issue addressed.
Cell size is an important determinant of body size. While the genetic mechanisms of cell size regulation have been well studied in yeast, this process has only recently been addressed in multicellular organisms. One recent report by Wang et al. (2002) shows that in the nematode C. elegans, the TGFbeta-like pathway acts in the hypodermis to regulate cell size and consequently body size.1 This finding is an exciting step in discovering the molecular mechanisms that control cell and body size.
Gumienny
Tina L
TL
Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Waksman Institute, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020, USA.
Padgett
Richard W
RW
D000818:Animals; D001824:Body Constitution; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D048429:Cell Size; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta