Expression of ram-5 in the structural cell is required for sensory ray morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans male tail

Raymond Y.L. Yu, Can Q. Nguyen, David H. Hall, King L. Chow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tissue morphogenesis requires complex cellular interaction and communication. The sensory ray in the Caenorhabditis elegans male tail has a simple cellular make-up and a non-essential function, thus providing an ideal model for studying the mechanisms guiding morphogenesis. We present here the analysis of a novel gene, ram-5, mutations of which are characterized by abnormal lumpy rays in the male tail. Microscopic analysis and behavioral studies revealed that lumpy rays contain operational sensory neurons. However, abnormalities were observed in the hypodermis and structural cells as well as in appositions between these two cell types. Molecular cloning and expression studies revealed that the ram-5 gene encodes a transmembrane protein localized in sensory ray support cells, the structural cells. Expression of ram-5 in these cells is required for normal ray morphogenesis, ram-5-dependent cell-cell communication is implicated in organizing the structural cell and the hypodermis, potentially through adhesion at the structural cell-hypodermal cell border.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3542-3555
Number of pages14
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume19
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 17 2000

Keywords

  • Cellular morphogenesis
  • Sensory ray
  • ram-5

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Expression of ram-5 in the structural cell is required for sensory ray morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans male tail'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this