Molecular Biology of the Cell Call for Nominations: MBC Editor-in-Chief

Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] --
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

MBC in Press, published online ahead of print June 11, 2004
Mol. Biol. Cell 10.1091/mbc.E04-03-0198

A more recent version of this article appeared on August 1, 2004
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
E04-03-0198v1
15/8/3938    most recent
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Yin, X.
Right arrow Articles by Strange, K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Yin, X.
Right arrow Articles by Strange, K.

Submitted on March 10, 2004
Revised on May 24, 2004
Accepted on May 30, 2004

IP3 Signaling Regulates Rhythmic Contractile Activity of Myoepithelial Sheath Cells in C. elegans

Xiaoyan Yin*, Nicholas J. D. Gower{dagger}, Howard A. Baylis{dagger}, and Kevin Strange*{ddagger}

*Departments of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232; {dagger}Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom CB2 3EJ

Monitoring Editor: Susan Strome

Intercellular communication between germ cells and neighboring somatic cells is essential for reproduction. C. elegans oocytes are surrounded by and coupled via gap junctions to smooth muscle-like myoepithelial sheath cells. Rhythmic sheath cell contraction drives ovulation and is triggered by a factor secreted from oocytes undergoing meiotic maturation. We demonstrate for the first time that signaling through the EGF-like ligand LIN-3 and the LET-23 tyrosine kinase receptor induces ovulatory contractions of sheath cells. Reduction-of-function mutations in the IP3 receptor gene itr-1 and knockdown of itr-1 expression by RNA interference (RNAi) inhibit sheath contractile activity. itr-1 gain-of-function mutations increase the rate and force of basal contractions and induce tonic sheath contraction during ovulation. Sheath contractile activity is disrupted by RNAi of plc-3, one of six phospholipase C-encoding genes in the C. elegans genome. PLC-3 is a PLC-{gamma} homolog and is expressed in contractile sheath cells of the proximal gonad. Maintenance of sheath contractile activity requires plasma membrane Ca2+ entry. We conclude that IP3 generated by LET-23 mediated activation of PLC-{gamma} induces repetitive intracellular Ca2+ release that drives rhythmic sheath cell contraction. Calcium entry may function to trigger Ca2+ release via IP3 receptors and/or refill intracellular Ca2+ stores.

{ddagger}Corresponding author. E-mail: kevin.strange{at}vanderbilt.edu






Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] --
Copyright © 2004 by The American Society for Cell Biology. Terms of copyright protection, warranties, and disclaimers.