The Caenorhabditis elegans Synthetic Multivulva Genes Prevent Ras Pathway Activation by Tightly Repressing Global Ectopic Expression of lin-3 EGF

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002418
• Publication Date: 2011-12-29T21:53:41Z
• Authors: Adam M. Saffer; Dong Hyun Kim; Alexander van Oud...; H. Robert Horvitz
• Keywords: Ectopic expression

The Caenorhabditis elegans class A and B synthetic multivulva (synMuv) genes redundantly antagonize an EGF/Ras pathway to prevent ectopic vulval induction. We identify a synMuv mutation in the promoter of lin-3 EGF gene, establishing that is key biological target development repressive activities pathways are integrated at level expression. Using FISH with single mRNA molecule resolution, we find expression tightly restricted only few tissues wild-type animals, including germline. In double mutants, ectopically expressed low levels throughout animal. Our findings reveal widespread growth factor concentrations much lower than normal domain can abnormally activate Ras alter cell fates. These results suggest hypotheses for mechanistic basis functional redundancy between tumor-suppressor-like genes: either directly or indirectly specifically repress expression; while might function similarly, but alternatively act as consequence their role preventing cells from adopting germline-like fate. Analogous mammals tumor suppressors by broad EGF-like ligands.