title: FBN-1, a fibrillin-related protein, is required for resistance of the epidermis to mechanical deformation during C. elegans embryogenesis.
abstract: During development, biomechanical forces contour the body and provide shape to internal organs. Using genetic and molecular approaches in combination with a FRET-based tension sensor, we characterized a pulling force exerted by the elongating pharynx (foregut) on the anterior epidermis during C. elegans embryogenesis. Resistance of the epidermis to this force and to actomyosin-based circumferential constricting forces is mediated by FBN-1, a ZP domain protein related to vertebrate fibrillins. fbn-1 was required specifically within the epidermis and FBN-1 was expressed in epidermal cells and secreted to the apical surface as a putative component of the embryonic sheath. Tiling array studies indicated that fbn-1 mRNA processing requires the conserved alternative splicing factor MEC-8/RBPMS. The conserved SYM-3/FAM102A and SYM-4/WDR44 proteins, which are linked to protein trafficking, function as additional components of this network. Our studies demonstrate the importance of the apical extracellular matrix in preventing mechanical deformation of the epidermis during development.
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, United States.
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Kelley
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, United States.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Yochem
authors: Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Krieg
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Calixto
authors: Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States.
authors: Maxwell G
authors: MG
authors: Heiman
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, United States.
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Kuzmanov
authors: Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.
authors: Vijaykumar
authors: V
authors: Meli
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States.
authors: Martin
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9079-7046
authors: M
authors: Chalfie
authors: Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.
authors: Miriam B
authors: MB
authors: Goodman
authors: Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States.
authors: Shai
authors: S
authors: Shaham
authors: Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Frand
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, United States.
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Fay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D004817:Epidermis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D000071837:Fibrillins; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012326:RNA Splicing / Q000235:genetics; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D000071837:Fibrillins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins
keywords: C. elegans; cell biology; developmental biology; epidermis; extra cellular matrix; fibrillin; mec-8; morphogenesis; splicing; stem cells