The GEX-2 and GEX-3 proteins are required for tissue morphogenesis and cell migranons in C. elegans

Martha C. Soto, Hiroshi Qadota, Katsuhisa Kasuya, Makiko Inoue, Daisuke Tsuboi, Craig C. Mello, Kozo Kaibuchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

During body morphogenesis precisely coordinated cell movements and cell shape changes organize the newly differentiated cells of an embryo into functional tissues. Here we describe two genes, gex-2 and gex-3, whose activities are necessary for initial steps of body morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. In the absence of gex-2 and gex-3 activities, cells differentiate properly but fail to become organized. The external hypodermal cells fail to spread over and enclose the embryo and instead cluster on the dorsal side. Postembryonically gex-3 activity is required for egg laying and for proper morphogenesis of the gonad. GEX-2 and GEX-3 proteins colocalize to cell boundaries and appear to directly interact. GEX-2 and GEX-3 are highly conserved, with vertebrate homologs implicated in binding the small GTPase Rac and a GEX-3 Drosophila homolog, HEM2/NAP1/KETTE, that interacts genetically with Rac pathway mutants. Our findings suggest that GEX-2 and GEX-3 may function at cell boundaries to regulate cell migrations and cell shape changes required for proper morphogenesis and development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)620-632
Number of pages13
JournalGenes and Development
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-03-2002
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The GEX-2 and GEX-3 proteins are required for tissue morphogenesis and cell migranons in C. elegans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this