title: The epidermal growth factor system in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: The single known epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and single epidermal growth factor receptor in Caenorhabditis elegans mediate two types of processes, each via a distinct signal transduction pathway. Several instances of cell fate specification during organogenesis require the RAS-MAP kinase pathway, as well as multiple nuclear factors. By contrast, appropriate myoepithelial contractions during ovulation involve IP3-mediated signal transduction. Positive modulators of the RAS pathway include KSR, SUR-8, phosphatase PP2A, and a zinc cation diffusion facilitator. Negative regulators of the RAS pathway include homologs of CBL, GAP-1, ACK, and MAP kinase phosphatase, while negative regulators of the IP3 pathway are enzymes that modify IP3. In addition to its stimulation of RAS activity, the GRB2 homolog SEM-5 acts negatively on both signaling pathways, as does the Ack-related kinase ARK-1.
authors.affiliation: HHMI and Division of Biology, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Nadeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moghal
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Sternberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000502:physiology*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors