The C. elegans methionine aminopeptidase 2 analog map-2 is required for germ cell proliferation.
We have investigated the physiological function of type 2 methionine aminopeptidases (MetAP2) using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. A homolog of human MetAP2 was found in the C. elegans genome, which we termed MAP-2. MAP-2 protein displayed methionine aminopeptidase activity and was sensitive to inhibition by fumagillin. Downregulation of map-2 expression by RNAi led to sterility, resulting from a defect in germ cell proliferation. These observations suggest that MAP-2 is essential for germ cell development in C. elegans and that this ubiquitous enzyme may play important roles in a tissue specific manner.
Boxem
Mike
M
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
Tsai
Chiawei W
CW
Zhang
Yi
Y
Saito
R Mako
RM
Liu
Jun O
JO
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000626:Aminopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D034622:RNA Interference; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012717:Sesquiterpenes
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C026211:fumagillin; D000626:Aminopeptidases; C106541:methionine aminopeptidase 2; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases