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Identifier

000366947

Title

Μοριακός χαρακτηρισμός του γονιδίου RIG-6¨Ο ρόλος του στην ανάπτυξη του Caenorhabditis

Alternative Title

Molecular characterization of the contactin RIG-6 :Implication in caenorhabditis elegans development

Author

Κατίδου, Μαρκέλλα

Thesis advisor

Καραγωγέως Δόμνα

Reviewer

Ταβερναράκης Νεκτάριος
Δελιδάκης, Χρήστος
Αβέρωφ, Μιχάλης
Αλεξανδράκη, Δέσποινα
Θερμού Κυριακή
Πάχνης Βασίλης

Abstract

Immunoglobulin superfamily Cell Adhesion Molecules (IgCAMs) are key regulators of nervous system development. The contactin subgroup of IgCAMs consists of GPIanchored glycoproteins implicated in axon outgrowth, guidance, fasciculation and neuronal differentiation. The intracellular mechanism by which contactins facilitate neuronal development is not understood. To gain insight into the function of contactins, we characterized RIG-6, the sole contactin of C. elegans. Here, we show that RIG-6 affects longitudinal axon outgrowth of mechanosensory neurons in a cell autonomous manner. Furthermore RIG-6 is implicated in axon guidance along the circumferential axis. We find that RIG-6 facilitates accurate nervous system patterning by prohibiting commissural dendrite convergence and branching, as well as axon cross-over at the ventral nerve cord. RIG-6 expression levels are critical for nervous system architecture. Upregulation of this contactin causes several behavioral deficits such as abnormal locomotion, egg laying and defecation. In addition to its neuronal function, RIG-6 is also involved in nonneuronal cell migration and morphogenesis, affecting Distal Tip Cell migration and excretory canal extension. Our data suggest that RIG-6 and the cytoplasmic protein UNC-53 synergize to direct axon guidance and branching along both the anterior-posterior and dorso-ventral direction. This implies that UNC-53/NAV2 proteins may contribute to relay signaling via contactins.

Language

Greek

Subject

Axon growth and guidance

Branching

Caenorhabditis elegans

Cell morphogenesis

Contactin

Igcams

Nervous system

Tubulogenesis

Ανάπτυξη νευρικού συστήματος