Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans excretory cell extends tubular processes, called canals, along the basolateral surface of the epidermis. Mutations in the exc-5 gene cause tubulocystic defects in this canal. Ultrastructural analysis suggests that exc-5 is required for the proper placement of cytoskeletal elements at the apical epithelial surface. exc-5 encodes a protein homologous to guanine nucleotide exchange factors and contains motif architecture similar to that of FGD1, which is responsible for faciogenital dysplasia. exc-5 interacts genetically with mig-2, which encodes Rho GTPase. These results suggest that EXC-5 controls the structural organization of the excretory canal by regulating Rho family GTPase activities.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Caenorhabditis elegans / chemistry
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Caenorhabditis elegans / embryology*
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Caenorhabditis elegans / ultrastructure
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
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Chromosome Mapping
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DNA, Complementary / metabolism
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Exons
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Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics*
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Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / physiology*
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Helminth Proteins / genetics*
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Helminth Proteins / physiology*
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Introns
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Microscopy, Electron
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Models, Genetic
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutation
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Plasmids / metabolism
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Protein Binding
Substances
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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DNA, Complementary
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Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
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Helminth Proteins
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exc-5 protein, C elegans