Asymmetric cell division in the C elegans embryo

线虫胚胎中的不对称细胞分裂

• 批准号: 6599180
• 负责人: ROBERT P GOLDSTEIN
• 金额: $ 24.56万
• 依托单位: UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-05-01 至 2008-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6599180
• 关键词: Caenorhabditis elegans; antibody; cell cycle; confocal scanning microscopy; developmental genetics; helminth genetics; invertebrate embryology; mitotic spindle apparatus; molecular cloning; protein localization; protein structure function; ribonucleoproteins; serine threonine protein kinase; video microscopy

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Asymmetric cell division is an essential process in the development of diverse animals, including humans. Our stem cells must undergo repeated asymmetric cell disivions to produce ceils of critical importance to our health. The long-term objective of the proposed project is an understanding of how divide asymmetrically. We are using the nematode CaenorhabdiUs elegans as a model to study asymmetric cell division. Before the first cell division in C. elegans, P granules (ribonucleoprotein complexes that are essential for germline development) and several other proteins and mRNAs become asymmetrically localized to one end of the zygote or the other. Simultaneously, actin-based polarized flows of cortical and central cytoplasm occur. Later, during mitosis, the mitotic spindle moves to an asymmetric position. The result is unequal-sized daughter cells containing distinct molecular components. The potential for combining genetics with live imaging makes this system an excellent model for addressing questions about how cells divide asymmetrically. Our specific aims are to (1) determine how known genes function in the localization of P granules, (2) investigate the mechanism of asymmetric mitotic spindle positioning in the C. elegans zygote, and (3) clone and characterize a new gene required for both P granule and mitotic spindle positioning. We expect that we will learn important new information about how cells divide asymmetrically that will suggest mechanisms and guide studies in mammals, including humans.

描述（由申请人提供）：不对称细胞分裂是包括人类在内的多种动物发展的重要过程。我们的干细胞必须经历重复的不对称细胞疾病，以产生对我们健康至关重要的天花板。拟议项目的长期目标是了解如何对不对称的分歧。我们使用线虫caenorhabdius秀丽隐杆线虫作为研究不对称细胞分裂的模型。在秀丽隐杆线虫的第一个细胞分裂之前，P颗粒（对于生殖线发育至关重要），其他几种蛋白质和mRNA不对称地定位于合子的一端或另一端。同时，发生基于肌动蛋白的皮质和中央细胞质的极化流。后来，在有丝分裂期间，有丝分裂纺锤体移至不对称位置。结果是含有不同分子成分的不等大小的子细胞。将遗传学与实时成像相结合的潜力使该系统成为解决细胞如何不对称分裂的问题的绝佳模型。我们的具体目的是（1）确定已知基因在P颗粒的定位中的作用，（2）研究秀丽隐杆线虫合子中不对称有丝分裂纺锤体定位的机制，以及（3）克隆并表征了P颗粒和有丝分裂刺的定位所需的新基因。我们希望我们将学习有关细胞如何不对称分裂的重要新信息，这将暗示包括人类在内的哺乳动物的机制和指导研究。