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http://hdl.handle.net/1783.1/3295
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| Title: | mab-7 encodes a novel transmembrane protein that orchestrates sensory ray morphogenesis in C. elegans |
| Authors: | Tsang, Shun-Wa
Nguyen, C. Q.
Hall, D. H.
Chow, King-Lau |
| Keywords: | Nematode
Sensory organ
Morphogenesis
Transmembrane protein |
| Issue Date: | Dec-2007 |
| Citation: | Developmental biology, v. 312, no. 1, Dec. 2007, p. 353-366 |
| Abstract: | The tapered sensory rays of the male C. elegans are important for successful male/hermaphrodite copulation. A group of ram (RAy Morphology abnormal) genes encoding modifying enzymes and transmembrane protein have been reported as key regulators controlling ray morphogenesis. Here we report the characterization of another component essential for this morphogenetic process encoded by mab-7. This gene is active in the hypodermis, structural cells, the body seam and several head neurons. It encodes a novel protein with a hydrophobic region at the N-terminus, an EGF-like motif, an ShKT motif and a long C-terminal tail. All these domains are shown to be critical to MAB-7 activity except the EGF-like domain, which appears to be regulatory and dispensable. MAB-7 is shown to be a type II membrane protein, tethered on the cell surface by the N-terminal transmembrane domain with the remainder of the protein exposed to the extracellular matrix. Since ectopic mab-7 expression in any ray cell or even in touch neurons of non-ray lineage can rescue the mutant phenotype, mab-7 is probably acting non-autonomously. It may facilitate intercellular communication among ray cells to augment normal ray morphogenesis. |
| Rights: | Developmental Biology © copyright (2007) Elsevier. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.sciencedirect.com/ |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1783.1/3295 |
| Appears in Collections: | BIOL Journal/Magazine Articles
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| Tsangetal20070908.pdf | pre-published version | 251Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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