Structure, function, and expression of SEL-1, a negative regulator of LIN-12 and GLP-1 in C. elegans

Previous work indicated that sel-1 functions as a negative regulator of lin-12 activity, and predicted that SEL-1 is a secreted or membrane associated protein. In this study, we describe cell ablation experiments that suggest sel-1 mutations elevate lin-12 activity cell autonomously. We also use transgenic approaches to demonstrate that the predicted signal sequence of SEL-1 can direct secretion and is important for function, while a C-terminal hydrophobic region is not required for SEL-1 function. In addition, by analyzing SEL-1 localization using specific antisera we find that SEL-1 is localized intracellularly, with a punctate staining pattern suggestive of membrane bound vesicles. We incorporate these observations, and new information about a related yeast gene, into a proposal for a possible mechanism for SEL-1 function in LIN-12 turnover.