Genetic redundancy masks diverse functions of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN during C. elegans development.
Genetic redundancy is associated with a large percentage of genes. We investigated PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) tumor suppressor gene functions that eluded single mutant analyses, using a Caenorhabditis elegans genome-wide screen. We show that at least 27 genes collaborate with the worm PTEN homolog daf-18 for various functions previously concealed by genetic redundancy, including embryogenesis, cuticle turnover, egg laying, and oocyte maturation. In one example, daf-18 appears to constitute a cell-autonomous germline signal that converges with a somatic gonad signal mediated by ceh-18 at a kinase inhibition. We provide evidence that daf-18 elicits some functions independent of the downstream gene daf-16.
Suzuki
Yo
Y
Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.
Han
Min
M
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development; D010060:Ovulation / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D034622:RNA Interference; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C116661:DAF-18 protein, C elegans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases