The T-box factor MLS-1 acts as a molecular switch during specification of nonstriated muscle in C. elegans

• Published in: Genes & development 2002-01, Vol.16 (2), p.257-269
• Main Authors: Kostas, Stephen A, Fire, Andrew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alleles; Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans - cytology; Caenorhabditis elegans - genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans - growth & development; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - chemistry; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - physiology; Cell Division; Cell Lineage; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Luminescent Proteins - genetics; mls-1 gene; Muscle, Smooth - growth & development; Mutation; Research Paper; T-Box Domain Proteins - chemistry; T-Box Domain Proteins - genetics; T-Box Domain Proteins - physiology; Transcription Factors
• ISSN: 0890-9369; 1549-5477
• DOI: 10.1101/gad.923102

We have isolated mutations in a gene mls-1 that is required for proper specification of nonstriated muscle fates in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of MLS-1 activity causes uterine muscle precursors to forego their normal fates, instead differentiating as vulval muscles. We have cloned mls-1 and shown that the product is a member of the T-box family of transcriptional regulators. MLS-1 acts as a cell fate determinant in that ectopic expression can transform other cell types to uterine muscle precursors. Uterine muscle patterning is executed by regulation of MLS-1 at several different levels. The mls-1 promoter is activated by the C. elegans orthologs of Twist and Daughterless, but is only active in a subset of the lineage where these two transcription factors are present. mls-1 activity also appears to be regulated by posttranscriptional processes, as expression occurs in both uterine and vulval muscle precursors.