Cell biology of a specialized epithelium: regulation of the cellularizing C. elegans germline

特殊上皮细胞的细胞生物学：细胞化秀丽隐杆线虫种系的调节

• 批准号: 105466-2012
• 负责人: Pilgrim, David
• 金额: $ 2.48万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=569060
• 关键词: Cell; biology; specialized; epithelium; regulation

The generation of a polarized cell shape is important to govern cell function as it allows the production of different domains within that cell. Understanding this process is critical for cell biology, and the nematode C. elegans has become a key model system for the study of generation of polarity or assembly of protein complexes. We have begun to examine the regulation of the molecules that direct the growth and generation of an ordered progression of germ cells (oocytes) from a multinuclear mitotic syncytium. Two processes are particularly important: growth of the lateral membranes and control of the opening (ring canal) that connects the growing oocyte to the syncytium. Achieving this organization requires exquisite coordination between adjacent cells, regulation of contractility and generation of polarized domains of a cell de novo. In preliminary work, we examined two Type II non-muscle myosins (NMY-1 and NMY-2) that provide the cell contractile activity in the germline. Surprisingly, our results suggest that these two molecules have antagonistic, rather than synergistic roles in directing contractility of the cells. The proposal has three aims. First, we will determine the spatial and temporal contributions of non-muscle myosins to the coordinated development of the cellularized germline. Second, we will determine the regulatory pathways controlling myosin contractility throughout the C. elegans germline. Lastly, we will establish the mechanisms of integration between actomyosin-dependent and cell-adhesion processes in establishing and maintaining patterning and polarity in the developing epithelia of the germline. Together, these studies will use the powerful tools available in a model system to understand a fundamental aspect of cytokinesis.

极化细胞形状的产生对于控制细胞功能是重要的，因为它允许在该细胞内产生不同的结构域。理解这一过程对细胞生物学至关重要，而线虫C。elegans已经成为研究蛋白质复合物的极性产生或组装的关键模型系统。我们已经开始研究的调控分子，直接生长和生殖细胞（卵母细胞）的有序进展，从一个多核有丝分裂合胞体。 有两个过程特别重要：侧膜的生长和连接生长中的卵母细胞和合胞体的开口（环形通道）的控制。 实现这种组织需要相邻细胞之间的精密协调，调节收缩性和重新产生细胞的极化域。 在初步工作中，我们研究了两种II型非肌肉肌球蛋白（NMY-1和NMY-2），它们在种系中提供细胞收缩活性。 令人惊讶的是，我们的研究结果表明，这两种分子在指导细胞收缩性方面具有拮抗作用，而不是协同作用。 该提案有三个目标。 首先，我们将确定非肌肉肌球蛋白的空间和时间的贡献，协调发展的细胞化种系。 其次，我们将确定整个C.秀丽隐杆线虫生殖系 最后，我们将建立肌动球蛋白依赖性和细胞粘附过程之间的整合机制，建立和维持生殖系发育中的上皮细胞的模式和极性。 总之，这些研究将使用模型系统中可用的强大工具来了解胞质分裂的基本方面。