An atonal homolog, lin-32, regulates hypodermal morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

The transcription factor atonal contributes to patterning and cell fate determination in specialized epithelial cells in various animals, but its function in hypodermis is unknown. Here, we analyzed the atonal homolog lin-32 in C. elegans to clarify whether atonal acts in hypodermal development. The lin-32 null mutants exhibited bulges and cavities in their head, which were prevented by LIN-32 expression. Fluorescent protein was expressed in hypodermis cells at the embryonic stage by the lin-32 promoter. These results certify that atonal plays an essential role in the development of a broader range of tissues as hypodermis than initially thought.