Abstract
The myoD family of DNA binding proteins has been implicated in the control of myogenesis in a variety of organisms. Searches for homologs in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans yielded only one gene, designated hlh-1, expressed in body-wall muscle cells and their precursors. To assess the role of hlh-1 in C. elegans myogenesis, genetic deficiencies spanning the hlh-1 locus were isolated after gamma irradiation. Embryos homozygous for these deficiencies exhibited extensive body-wall muscle differentiation, including expression of several characteristic myofilament proteins and weak contracile behavior. Thus, zygotic hlh-1 expression was not required for body-wall muscle precursors to adopt muscle cell fates.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Caenorhabditis / embryology
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Caenorhabditis / genetics
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Caenorhabditis / physiology*
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Cell Differentiation
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Chromosome Deletion*
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Chromosome Mapping
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Crosses, Genetic
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DNA / genetics
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DNA / isolation & purification
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / cytology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / radiation effects
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Gamma Rays
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Homozygote
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Multigene Family
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Muscle Proteins / genetics*
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Muscles / embryology*
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Muscles / physiology
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Muscles / radiation effects
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MyoD Protein
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Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Muscle Proteins
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MyoD Protein
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Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
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DNA