Asymmetric Localizations of LIN-17/Fz and MIG-5/Dsh Are Involved in the Asymmetric B Cell Division in C. elegans

Authors

• Mingfu Wu, Kansas State UniversityFollow
• Michael A. Herman, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2007

Citation

Developmental Biology 303 (2007), pp. 650–662.

doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2006.12.002

Comments

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Inc. Used by permission.

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License

Abstract

LIN-44/Wnt and LIN-17/Frizzled (Fz) function in a planar cell polarity (PCP)-like pathway to regulate the asymmetric B cell division in Caenorhabditis elegans. We observed asymmetric localization of LIN-17/Frizzled (Fz) and MIG-5/Disheveled (Dsh) during the B cell division. LIN-17∷GFP was asymmetrically localized within the B cell prior to and after the B cell division and correlated with B cell polarity. Asymmetric localization of LIN-17∷GFP was dependent upon LIN-44/Wnt and MIG-5/Dsh function. The LIN-17 transmembrane domain and a portion of the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) were required for LIN-17 function and asymmetric distribution to the B cell daughters, while the conserved KTXXXW motif was only required for function. MIG-5∷GFP was also asymmetrically localized within the B cell prior to and after the B cell division in a LIN-17- and LIN-44-dependent manner. Functions of the MIG-5 DEP, PDZ, and DIX domains were also conserved. Thus, a novel PCP-like pathway, in which LIN-17 and MIG-5 are asymmetrically localized, is involved in the regulation of B cell polarity.