Linker cell migration in C. elegans

描述(由申请人提供)： 迁移在形成生物体的身体计划方面起着至关重要的作用，但也是癌症转移过程的基础。尽管迁移的细胞生物学传统上是在体外研究的，但需要一个体内系统来将这一过程与发育和疾病联系起来。本研究将使用遗传学和细胞生物学方法研究线虫单个细胞的迁移，目的是了解基因如何在分子途径中发挥作用，最终调节细胞迁移的细胞生物学。具体地说，连接细胞(LC)是雄性性腺迁移的先导细胞，它的迁移将用三种方法进行检测。基于绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的分子标记将被开发来在活体动物中检测LC及其周围的细胞外基质，以及当其迁移时其细胞内的极性。将使用RNAi文库进行筛选，以确定与LC迁移有关的基因。最后，通过使用上述分子标记和建立新的工具，如翻译记者，将研究选定的基因和基因网络在调节细胞迁移生物学中的功能。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Migration has a vital function in forming the body plan of an organism and yet underlies the process of metastasis in cancer. Although the cell biology of migration has traditionally been studied in vitro, an in vivo system is required to relate this process to both development and disease. This study will investigate the migration of an individual cell in C. elegans, using both genetic and cell biological approaches, with the goal of understanding how genes function in a molecular pathway to ultimately regulate the cell biology of migration. Specifically, the migration of the linker cell (LC), which is the leader cell for gonad migration in the male, will be examined using three approaches. Molecular markers based on green fluorescent protein (GFP) will be developed to examine in live animals the LC, its surrounding extracellular matrix, and its intracellular polarity as it migrates. A screen using the RNAi library will be conducted to identify genes involved in LC migration. Finally, by using the molecular markers described above and building new tools, such as translational reporters, the function of selected genes and gene networks in regulating the cell biology of migration will be investigated.