C. elegans Afadin is required for epidermal morphogenesis and functionally interfaces with the cadherin-catenin
Allison E Hall1, Diana Klompstra2, Jeremy Nance3
1Department of Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA; Regis University, Biology Department, Denver, CO, 80221, USA.
Developmental Biology
|March 31, 2024
Summary
The scaffolding protein Afadin (AFD-1) is crucial for C. elegans embryonic development, influencing cell shape and tissue formation. Its function is unexpectedly linked to parental diet, highlighting a new aspect of developmental biology.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Epithelial morphogenesis requires dynamic remodeling of apical junctions as cells change shape and form new connections.
- The junctional cadherin-catenin complex (CCC) is vital for linking cells and actomyosin, essential for C. elegans epidermal morphogenesis.
- Previous studies identified interacting proteins like Afadin (AFD-1) but underestimated its individual contribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent role of the scaffolding protein Afadin (AFD-1) in C. elegans epidermal morphogenesis.
- To explore potential interactions between AFD-1 and the CCC during embryonic development.
- To uncover novel factors influencing AFD-1 function, such as parental nutrition.
Main Methods:
- Generated a null mutation in the afd-1 gene to assess its function.
- Utilized RNAi genetic screens to identify interacting genes and pathways.
- Examined the localization of AFD-1 and its interaction with E-cadherin and PAC-1/ARHGAP21.
- Assessed the impact of diet on afd-1 mutant phenotypes.
Main Results:
- Null mutation in afd-1 significantly impairs ventral enclosure and elongation during C. elegans embryogenesis.
- afd-1 mutant phenotypes are strongly influenced by parental diet, indicating a role for nutritional input.
- E-cadherin is necessary for AFD-1 localization to cell contact sites, revealing functional interaction with the CCC.
- AFD-1 promotes the localization of PAC-1/ARHGAP21, suggesting parallel regulatory mechanisms with the CCC.
Conclusions:
- C. elegans AFD-1 plays a significant, previously underestimated role in epidermal morphogenesis.
- AFD-1 functionally interfaces with core and associated CCC proteins, including E-cadherin and PAC-1/ARHGAP21.
- Parental nutrition represents a critical, unappreciated factor modulating AFD-1-dependent developmental processes.
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