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SynMuv genes redundantly inhibit lin-3/EGF expression to prevent inappropriate vulval induction in C. elegans

Mingxue Cui1, Jun Chen, Toshia R Myers

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of MCD Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.

Developmental Cell
|May 9, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Synthetic Multivulva (SynMuv) genes in C. elegans hypodermis normally repress LIN-3/EGF signaling. Inactivating these genes in hyp7 cells derepresses LIN-3/EGF, revealing a new mechanism for developmental signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Vulval development in C. elegans is initiated by LIN-3/Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) signaling from the gonad to vulval precursor cells (VPCs).
  • A prevailing model suggests LIN-3 overcomes an inhibitory signal from the adjacent hyp7 hypodermal syncytium.
  • Synthetic Multivulva (SynMuv) genes, including the Rb ortholog, are implicated in this inhibitory signaling when inactivated in hyp7.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SynMuv genes in regulating LIN-3/EGF expression in the hypodermis.
  • To re-evaluate the concept of an

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analysis in C. elegans.
  • Investigating transcriptional repression of lin-3/EGF.
  • Analyzing the function of SynMuv gene classes A and B.

Main Results:

  • SynMuv A and SynMuv B gene classes redundantly repress the transcription of lin-3/EGF in the hypodermis.
  • Inactivation of SynMuv genes leads to derepression of lin-3/EGF.
  • This suggests SynMuv genes function as transcriptional repressors of a key signaling ligand.

Conclusions:

  • The concept of an

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