Abstract
Innexins are the proposed structural components of gap junctions in invertebrates. Antibodies that specifically recognize the Caenorhabditis elegans innexin protein INX-3 were generated and used to examine the patterns of inx-3 gene expression and the subcellular sites of INX-3 localization. INX-3 is first detected in two-cell embryos, concentrated at the intercellular interface, and is expressed ubiquitously throughout the cellular proliferation phase of embryogenesis. During embryonic morphogenesis, INX-3 expression becomes more restricted. Postembryonically, INX-3 is expressed transiently in several cell types, while expression in the posterior pharynx persists throughout development. Through immuno-EM techniques, INX-3 was observed at gap junctions in the adult pharynx, providing supporting evidence that innexins are components of gap junctions. An inx-3 mutant was isolated through a combined genetic and immunocytochemical screen. Homozygous inx-3 mutants exhibit defects during embryonic morphogenesis. At the comma stage of early morphogenesis, variable numbers of cells are lost from the anterior of inx-3(lw68) mutants. A range of terminal defects is seen later in embryogenesis, including localized rupture of the hypodermis, failure of the midbody to elongate properly, abnormal contacts between hypodermal cells, and failure of the pharynx to attach to the anterior of the animal.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 403-417 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Developmental Biology |
| Volume | 256 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 15 2003 |
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Keywords
- C. elegans
- Development
- Gap junctions
- Innexins
- Morphogenesis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental Biology
Cite this
The Caenorhabditis elegans innexin INX-3 is localized to gap junctions and is essential for embryonic development. / Starich, Todd A.; Miller, Agnes; Nguyen, Rachel L.; Hall, David H.; Shaw, Jocelyn E.
In: Developmental Biology, Vol. 256, No. 2, 15.04.2003, p. 403-417.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Caenorhabditis elegans innexin INX-3 is localized to gap junctions and is essential for embryonic development
AU - Starich, Todd A.
AU - Miller, Agnes
AU - Nguyen, Rachel L.
AU - Hall, David H.
AU - Shaw, Jocelyn E.
PY - 2003/4/15
Y1 - 2003/4/15
N2 - Innexins are the proposed structural components of gap junctions in invertebrates. Antibodies that specifically recognize the Caenorhabditis elegans innexin protein INX-3 were generated and used to examine the patterns of inx-3 gene expression and the subcellular sites of INX-3 localization. INX-3 is first detected in two-cell embryos, concentrated at the intercellular interface, and is expressed ubiquitously throughout the cellular proliferation phase of embryogenesis. During embryonic morphogenesis, INX-3 expression becomes more restricted. Postembryonically, INX-3 is expressed transiently in several cell types, while expression in the posterior pharynx persists throughout development. Through immuno-EM techniques, INX-3 was observed at gap junctions in the adult pharynx, providing supporting evidence that innexins are components of gap junctions. An inx-3 mutant was isolated through a combined genetic and immunocytochemical screen. Homozygous inx-3 mutants exhibit defects during embryonic morphogenesis. At the comma stage of early morphogenesis, variable numbers of cells are lost from the anterior of inx-3(lw68) mutants. A range of terminal defects is seen later in embryogenesis, including localized rupture of the hypodermis, failure of the midbody to elongate properly, abnormal contacts between hypodermal cells, and failure of the pharynx to attach to the anterior of the animal.
AB - Innexins are the proposed structural components of gap junctions in invertebrates. Antibodies that specifically recognize the Caenorhabditis elegans innexin protein INX-3 were generated and used to examine the patterns of inx-3 gene expression and the subcellular sites of INX-3 localization. INX-3 is first detected in two-cell embryos, concentrated at the intercellular interface, and is expressed ubiquitously throughout the cellular proliferation phase of embryogenesis. During embryonic morphogenesis, INX-3 expression becomes more restricted. Postembryonically, INX-3 is expressed transiently in several cell types, while expression in the posterior pharynx persists throughout development. Through immuno-EM techniques, INX-3 was observed at gap junctions in the adult pharynx, providing supporting evidence that innexins are components of gap junctions. An inx-3 mutant was isolated through a combined genetic and immunocytochemical screen. Homozygous inx-3 mutants exhibit defects during embryonic morphogenesis. At the comma stage of early morphogenesis, variable numbers of cells are lost from the anterior of inx-3(lw68) mutants. A range of terminal defects is seen later in embryogenesis, including localized rupture of the hypodermis, failure of the midbody to elongate properly, abnormal contacts between hypodermal cells, and failure of the pharynx to attach to the anterior of the animal.
KW - C. elegans
KW - Development
KW - Gap junctions
KW - Innexins
KW - Morphogenesis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0345505282&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0345505282&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0012-1606(02)00116-1
DO - 10.1016/S0012-1606(02)00116-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 12679112
AN - SCOPUS:0345505282
VL - 256
SP - 403
EP - 417
JO - Developmental Biology
JF - Developmental Biology
SN - 0012-1606
IS - 2
ER -