CRL2LRR-1 E3-Ligase Regulates Proliferation and Progression through Meiosis in the Caenorhabditis elegans Germline

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003375
• Publication Date: 2013-03-28T21:01:31Z
• Authors: Julien Burger; Jorge Merlet; Nicolas Tavernier; Bénédicte Richaudeau; Andreas Arnold; Rafal Ciosk; Bruce Bowerman; Lionel Pintard
• Keywords: DNA Replication; 0301 basic medicine; Synaptonemal Complex; Cell Cycle; Phosphotransferases; Mitosis; [SDV.BBM.BM]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Molecular biology; Cell Cycle Proteins; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; QH426-470; [SDV.BBM.BM] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Molecular biology; Cullin Proteins; Meiosis; 03 medical and health sciences; Germ Cells; [SDV.BBM.GTP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Genomics [q-bio.GN]; Genetics; [SDV.BBM.GTP] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Genomics [q-bio.GN]; Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Research Article; Cell Proliferation

The ubiquitin-proteolytic system controls the stability of proteins in space and time. In this study, using a temperature-sensitive mutant allele cul-2 gene, we show that CRL2LRR-1 (CUL-2 RING E3 ubiquitin-ligase Leucine Rich Repeat 1 substrate recognition subunit) acts at multiple levels to control germline development. promotes germ cell proliferation by counteracting DNA replication ATL-1 checkpoint pathway. also participates mitotic proliferation/meiotic entry decision, presumably controlling meiotic promoting factors zone germline. Finally, inhibits first steps prophase targeting cells degradation HORMA domain-containing protein HTP-3, required for loading synaptonemal complex components onto chromosomes. Given its widespread evolutionary conservation, CUL-2 may similarly regulate development other organisms as well.