lin-35/Rb and xnp-1/ATR-X function redundantly to control somatic gonad development in C. elegans.
In screens for genetic modifiers of lin-35/Rb, the C. elegans retinoblastoma protein (Rb) homolog, we have identified a mutation in xnp-1. Mutations in xnp-1, including a presumed null allele, are viable and, in general, appear indistinguishable from the wild type. In contrast, xnp-1 lin-35 double mutants are typically sterile and exhibit severe defects in gonadal development. Analyses of the abnormal gonads indicate a defect in the lineages that generate cells of the sheath and spermatheca. xnp-1 encodes the C. elegans homolog of ATR-X, a human disease gene associated with severe forms of mental retardation and urogenital developmental defects. xnp-1/ATR-X is a member of the Swi2/Snf2 family of ATP-dependent DEAD/DEAH box helicases, which function in nucleosome remodeling and transcriptional regulation. Expression of an xnp-1 Colon, two colons GFP promoter fusion is detected throughout C. elegans development in several cell types including neurons and cells of the somatic gonad. Our findings demonstrate a new biological role for Rb family members in somatic gonad development and implicate lin-35 in the execution of multiple cell fates in C. elegans. In addition, our results suggest a possible conserved function for xnp-1/ATR-X in gonadal development across species.
Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3944, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
Aaron M
AM
Bender
Orion
O
Wells
David S
DS
Fay
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001483:Base Sequence; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006066:Gonads / Q000254:growth & development; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D018509:DNA, Helminth; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C116485:lin-35 protein, C elegans; D004265:DNA Helicases; C121256:XNP-1 protein, C elegans