DLC-1 facilitates germ granule assembly in Caenorhabditis elegans embryo

Mol Biol Cell. 2022 May 1;33(5):ar41. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E21-05-0275. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

Abstract

Germ granules are cytoplasmic assemblies of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) required for germ cell development and fertility. During the first four cell divisions of the Caenorhabditis elegans zygote, regulated assembly of germ (P) granules leads to their selective segregation to the future germ cell. Here we investigate the role of DLC-1, a hub protein implicated in stabilization and function of diverse protein complexes, in maintaining P granule integrity. We find that DLC-1 directly interacts with several core P granule proteins, predominantly during embryogenesis. The loss of dlc-1 disrupts assembly of P granule components into phase-separated organelles in the embryos, regardless of whether or not DLC-1 directly interacts with these proteins. Finally, we infer that P granule dispersal in the absence of dlc-1 is likely independent of DLC-1's function as a subunit of the dynein motor and does not result from a loss of cell polarity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans* / metabolism
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
  • Dyneins / metabolism
  • Germ Cell Ribonucleoprotein Granules
  • Germ Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DLC-1 protein, C elegans
  • Dyneins