α integrin cytoplasmic tails have tissue-specific roles during C. elegans development

Christopher M. Meighan, Jean E. Schwarzbauer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Integrin signaling impacts many developmental processes. The complexity of these signals increases when multiple, unique integrin heterodimers are expressed during a single developmental event. Since integrin heterodimers have different signaling capabilities, the signals originating at each integrin type must be separated in the cell. C. elegans have two integrin heterodimers, α INA-1/β PAT-3 and α PAT-2/β PAT-3, which are expressed individually or simultaneously, based on tissue type. We used chimeric α integrins to assess the role of α integrin cytoplasmic tails during development. Chimeric integrin ina-1 with the pat-2 cytoplasmic tail rescued lethality and maintained neuron fasciculation in an ina-1 mutant. Interestingly, the pat-2 tail was unable to completely restore distal tip cell migration and vulva morphogenesis. Chimeric integrin pat-2 with the ina-1 cytoplasmic tail had a limited ability to rescue a lethal mutation in pat-2, with survivors showing aberrant muscle organization, yet normal distal tip cell migration. In a wild type background, α integrin pat-2 with the ina-1 cytoplasmic tail had a dominant negative effect which induced muscle disorganization, cell migration defects and lethality. These results show the a integrin cytoplasmic tails impact unique cellular behaviors that vary by tissue type during development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)325-333
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Developmental Biology
Volume58
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Embryology
  • Developmental Biology

Keywords

  • Distal tip cell
  • Integrin
  • Morphogenesis
  • Muscle

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