Open AccessA Deficiency Screen for Zygotic Loci Required for Establishment and Patterning of the Epidermis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Author(s) -
Rebecca M. Terns,
Peggy Kroll-Conner,
Jiangwen Zhu,
Sang-Min Chung,
Joel H. Rothman
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.792
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1943-2631
pISSN - 0016-6731
DOI - 10.1093/genetics/146.1.185
Subject(s) - biology , epidermis (zoology) , caenorhabditis elegans , syncytium , microbiology and biotechnology , multinucleate , adherens junction , genetics , cell , gene , cadherin , anatomy
To identify genomic regions required for establishment and patterning of the epidermis, we screened 58 deficiencies that collectively delete at least approximately 67% of the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. The epidermal pattern of deficiency homozygous embryos was analyzed by examining expression of a marker specific for one of the three major epidermal cell types, the seam cells. The organization of the epidermis and internal organs was also analyzed using a monoclonal antibody specific for epithelial adherens junctions. While seven deficiencies had no apparent effect on seam cell production, 21 were found to result in subnormal, and five in excess numbers of these cells. An additional 23 deficiencies blocked expression of the seam cell marker, in some cases without preventing cell proliferation. Two deficiencies result in multinucleate seam cells. Deficiencies were also identified that result in subnormal numbers of epidermal cells, hyperfusion of epidermal cells into a large syncytium, or aberrant epidermal differentiation. Finally, analysis of internal epithelia revealed deficiencies that cause defects in formation of internal organs, including circularization of the intestine and bifurcation of the pharynx lumen. This study reveals that many regions of the C. elegans genome are required zygotically for patterning of the epidermis and other epithelia.