Cell polarity in C.elegans

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This proposal is concerned with understanding the role of microtubules in the establishment and transduction of polarity in the early C.elegans embryo. During the first cell division of C.elegans the cortex divides into two domains, defined by different PAR proteins. The formation of these PAR cortical domains is thought to be driven by elements of the sperm centrosome and defines the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo. Subsequently these PAR proteins mediate the formation of an asymmetric cell division, by modulating the properties of the cytoskeleton. Prominent among these asymmetric events is the formation of an asymmetric spindle, leading to two cells of different sizes. We understand neither how centrosomes/microtubules drive the formation of the cortical domains, nor how these cortical domains modulate the dynamics of the microtubules to drive asymmetric cell division. Here we propose 1) To use both mutants in centrosomes and laser ablation to define the role of centrosome components in establishing cell polarity 2) To develop techniques to analyze the changing dynamics of microtubules during asymmetric cell division. We will combine this analysis with laser ablation of microtubules in attempt to identify the force generating microtubules required for asymmetric cell division.