EMB-4: a predicted ATPase that facilitates lin-12 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Genetics. 2006 Dec;174(4):1907-15. doi: 10.1534/genetics.106.063453. Epub 2006 Oct 9.

Abstract

The sel-6 gene was previously identified in a screen for suppressors of the egg-laying defect associated with hypermorphic alleles of lin-12 (Tax et al. 1997). Here we show that sel-6 and two other previously defined genes, mal-2 and emb-4, are the same gene, now called "emb-4." We perform a genetic and molecular characterization of emb-4 and show that it functions cell autonomously as a positive regulator of lin-12 activity. Viable alleles identified as suppressors of lin-12 are partial loss-of-function mutations, whereas the null phenotype encompasses a range of lethal terminal phenotypes that apparently are not related to loss of lin-12/Notch signaling. emb-4 encodes a large nuclearly localized protein containing a predicted ATPase domain and has apparent orthologs in fission yeast, plants, and animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / cytology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Germ Cells / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Subcellular Fractions
  • Suppression, Genetic
  • Vulva / cytology
  • Vulva / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Lin-12 protein, C elegans
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases