The C. elegans evl-20 gene is a homolog of the small GTPase ARL2 and regulates cytoskeleton dynamics during cytokinesis and morphogenesis

Dev Cell. 2002 May;2(5):579-91. doi: 10.1016/s1534-5807(02)00146-6.

Abstract

The in vivo functions of ARF-like members of the Ras superfamily of GTPases are relatively unexplored. Here we describe the analysis of C. elegans evl-20 gene that encodes a functional homolog of human ARL2. Elimination of evl-20 function results in abnormal vulval, gonad, and male tail development and disrupts embryonic proliferation, hypodermal enclosure, and elongation. Loss of evl-20 function causes specific defects in the microtubule cytoskeleton, which is the likely molecular basis for the observed defects. EVL-20 is closely associated with both the cell cortex and astral microtubules, suggesting that it may directly interact with microtubule structures at those locations. Our data indicate that EVL-20 functions in the cytoplasm and at the plasma membrane to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics during cytokinesis and morphogenesis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Cytoskeleton / physiology
  • DNA, Helminth / genetics
  • Female
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Helminth*
  • Gonads / growth & development
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Tail / growth & development
  • Vulva / growth & development

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DNA, Helminth
  • evl-20 protein, C elegans
  • ARL2 protein, human
  • GTP-Binding Proteins