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LIP‐1 phosphatase controls the extent of germline proliferation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Author(s) -
Lee MyonHee,
Hook Brad,
Lamont Liana B,
Wickens Marvin,
Kimble Judith
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/sj.emboj.7600901
Subject(s) - biology , caenorhabditis elegans , germline , genetics , caenorhabditis , microbiology and biotechnology , gene
Caenorhabditis elegans germline cells are maintained in an undifferentiated and mitotically dividing state by Notch signaling and the FBF (for f em‐3 b inding f actor) RNA‐binding protein. Here, we report that the LIP‐1 phosphatase, a proposed homolog of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatases, is required for the normal extent of germline proliferation, and that lip‐1 controls germline proliferation by regulating MAP kinase activity. In wild‐type germ lines, LIP‐1 protein is present in the proximal third of the mitotic region, consistent with its effect on germline proliferation. We provide evidence that lip‐1 expression in the germline mitotic region is controlled by a combination of GLP‐1/Notch signaling and FBF repression. Unexpectedly, FBF controls the accumulation of lip‐1 mRNA, and therefore is likely to control its stability or 3′‐end formation. In a sensitized mutant background, LIP‐1 can function as a pivotal regulator of the decision between proliferation and differentiation. The control of germline proliferation by LIP‐1 has intriguing parallels with the control of stem cells and progenitor cells in vertebrates.