CGC Bibliography Paper 5066

APH-2/nicastrin functions in LIN-12/Notch signaling in the Caenorhabditis elegans somatic gonad.

Levitan D, Yu G, Hyslop PSG, Goutte C

Medline:

11784090

Citation:

Developmental Biology 240: 654-661 2001

Type:

ARTICLE

Genes:

aph-2 glp-1 lin-12 sel-12

Abstract:

Nicastrin is a recently identified member of high-molecular weight complexes containing presenilin. The Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of nicastrin, aph-2, was shown to be required for GLP-1/Notch signaling in the early embryo. In addition to the maternal-effect embryonic lethal phenotype, aph-2 mutant animals also display an egg-laying defect. We show that this latter defect is related to the SEL-12/presenilin egg-laying defect. We also show that aph-2 and sel-12 genetically interact and cooperate to regulate LIN-12/Notch signaling in the development of the somatic gonad. In addition, aph-2 and lin-12/Notch genetically interact. We illustrate a new role for aph-2 in facilitating lin-12 signaling in the somatic gonad, thus providing evidence that APH-2 is involved in both GLP-1/Notch- and LIN-12/Notch-mediated signaling events. Finally, we demonstrate that nicastrin can partially substitute for aph-2, suggesting a conservation of function between these proteins.