A proneural gene controls C. elegans neuroblast asymmetric division and migration

FEBS Lett. 2014 Apr 2;588(7):1136-43. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.02.036. Epub 2014 Feb 28.

Abstract

Proneural genes control the generation of neuroblasts from the neuroepithelium, but their functions in neuroblast asymmetric division and migration remain elusive. Here, we identified Caenorhabditiselegans mutants of a proneural transcription factor (TF) lin-32, in which Q neuroblasts are produced. We showed that LIN-32 functions in parallel with a storkhead TF, HAM-1, to regulate Q neuroblast asymmetric division, and that Q neuroblast migration is inhibited in lin-32 alleles. Consistently, lin-32 is expressed throughout Q neuroblast lineage, suggesting that LIN-32 may promote different target gene expression. Our studies thus uncovered previously unknown functions of a proneural gene in neuroblast development.

Keywords: Asymmetric cell division; C. elegans; Cell migration; Neuroblast; Proneural Gene.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Asymmetric Cell Division*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Size
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Time-Lapse Imaging
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • LIN-32 protein, C elegans
  • Transcription Factors