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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Novel Metrics to Characterize Embryonic Elongation of the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: March 28, 2016
AMPK and autophagy control embryonic elongation as part of a RhoA-like morphogenic program in nematode
Emmanuel Martin1, Grégoire Bonnamour1, Sarah Jenna1
1Integrative Genomics and cell signaling laboratory, Chemistry-Biochemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, Canada.
Abstract:
Autophagy is the process where cytosolic components are digested by the cell. This process is required for cell survival in stressful conditions. It was also shown to control cell division and more recently, cell morphology and migration. We characterized signalling pathways enabling embryonic epidermal cells of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to elongate along their antero-posterior axis. Previous studies revealed that epidermal cells can adopt either a RhoA-like or a Rac1-like morphogenic program. We show here that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and genes controlling autophagy are required for proper elongation of epidermal cells following the RhoA-like program and are dispensable for other cells. This suggests that AMPK-autophagy is used by the embryo to fuel the most energy-demanding morphogenic processes promoting early elongation.
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