title: The diverse functions of germline P-granules in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: P-granules are conserved cytoplasmic organelles, similar to nuage, that are present in Caenorhabditis elegans germ cells. Based on the prevailing sterility phenotype of the component mutants, P-granules have been seen as regulators of germ cell development and function. Yet, specific germline defects resulting from P-granule failure vary, depending on which component(s) are inactivated, at which stage of development, as well as on the presence of stress factors during animal culture. This review discusses the unifying themes in many P-granule functions, with the main focus on their role as organizing centers nucleating RNA regulation in the germ cell cytoplasm.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, USA. ekaterina.voronina@umontana.edu
authors.forename: Ekaterina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Voronina
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019849:Sex Determination Processes / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins