pat-4/ILK and unc-112/Mig-2 are required for gonad function in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Tissue morphogenesis requires proper interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is mediated by alphabeta heterodimeric receptor integrin. In Caenorhabditis elegans, integrin signaling is essential for formation of gonad. Here, we probe the role of several integrin-associated molecules in ovulation and cell migration. Function of pat-4/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and unc-112/Mig-2 was examined using RNA-mediated interference (RNAi). Depletion of these messages caused oocyte accumulation in the proximal gonad and distal tip cells (DTC) migration defects. It was further determined that failed ovulation was due to defective contraction and dilation of somatic gonad structures, including spermatheca and gonad sheath. Actin cytoskeleton in the proximal gonad of RNAi animals appeared disorganized, indicating that RNAi of pat-4 or unc-112 inhibited the overall assembly of actin cytoskeleton in somatic gonad. Taken together, our analysis confirms the role of integrin and integrin-associated proteins in gonad function.
Department of Biology, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97388, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
Xiaojian
X
Xu
Sharath C
SC
Rongali
Jonathan P
JP
Miles
Kap Duk
KD
Lee
Myeongwoo
M
Lee
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology*; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D039641:Integrin beta Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000378:metabolism; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000502:physiology; D000099200:Scaffold Protein ILK
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015220:Calcium Channels; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D039641:Integrin beta Chains; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; C411729:UNC-112 protein, C elegans; C093515:pat-3 protein, C elegans; C466238:PAT-4 protein, C elegans; D000099200:Scaffold Protein ILK; C051038:Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase; C035215:inositol triphosphate phosphomonoesterase