nhr-25, the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of ftz-f1, is required for epidermal and somatic gonad development

Dev Biol. 2000 May 1;221(1):259-72. doi: 10.1006/dbio.2000.9679.

Abstract

We have analyzed the expression and function of the Caenorhabditis elegans gene nhr-25, a member of the widely conserved FTZ-F1 family of nuclear receptors. The gene encodes two protein isoforms, only one of which has a DNA binding domain. nhr-25 is transcribed during embryonic and larval development. A nhr-25::GFP fusion gene is expressed in the epidermis, the developing somatic gonad, and a subset of other epithelial cells. RNA-mediated interference indicates a requirement for nhr-25 function during development: disruption of nhr-25 function leads to embryonic arrest due to failure of the epidermally mediated process of embryo elongation. Animals that survive to hatching arrest as misshapen larvae that occasionally exhibit defects in shedding molted cuticle. In addition, somatic gonad development is defective in these larvae. These results further establish the importance of FTZ-F1 nuclear receptors in molting and developmental control across evolutionarily distant phyla.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / embryology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Epidermis / embryology*
  • Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Gonads / embryology*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Helminth Proteins / chemistry
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / chemistry
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phenotype
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1
  • Transcription Factors
  • nuclear hormone receptor NHR-25, C elegans
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF179214
  • GENBANK/AF179215
  • GENBANK/AF179216