The UNC-112 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a novel component of cell-matrix adhesion structures required for integrin localization in the muscle cell membrane

J Cell Biol. 2000 Jul 10;150(1):253-64. doi: 10.1083/jcb.150.1.253.

Abstract

Embryos homozygous for mutations in the unc-52, pat-2, pat-3, and unc-112 genes of C. elegans exhibit a similar Pat phenotype. Myosin and actin are not organized into sarcomeres in the body wall muscle cells of these mutants, and dense body and M-line components fail to assemble. The unc-52 (perlecan), pat-2 (alpha-integrin), and pat-3 (beta-integrin) genes encode ECM or transmembrane proteins found at the cell-matrix adhesion sites of both dense bodies and M-lines. This study describes the identification of the unc-112 gene product, a novel, membrane-associated, intracellular protein that colocalizes with integrin at cell-matrix adhesion complexes. The 720-amino acid UNC-112 protein is homologous to Mig-2, a human protein of unknown function. These two proteins share a region of homology with talin and members of the FERM superfamily of proteins. We have determined that a functional UNC-112::GFP fusion protein colocalizes with PAT-3/beta-integrin in both adult and embryonic body wall muscle. We also have determined that UNC-112 is required to organize PAT-3/beta-integrin after it is integrated into the basal cell membrane, but is not required to organize UNC-52/perlecan in the basement membrane, nor for DEB-1/vinculin to localize with PAT-3/beta-integrin. Furthermore, UNC-112 requires the presence of UNC-52/perlecan and PAT-3/beta-integrin, but not DEB-1/vinculin to become localized to the muscle cell membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Integrins / genetics
  • Integrins / metabolism*
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscles / cytology
  • Muscles / metabolism*
  • Proteoglycans / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Integrins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proteoglycans
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • UNC-112 protein, C elegans
  • unc-52 protein, C elegans
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF217185