CGC Bibliography Paper 5095

The anaphase-promoting complex and separin are required for embryonic anterior-posterior axis formation.

Rappleye CA, Tagawa A, Lyczak R, Bowerman B, Aroian RV

Medline:

11832245

Citation:

Developmental Cell 2: 195-206 2002

Type:

ARTICLE

Genes:

emb-27 emb-30 mat-1 mat-2 mat-3 par-2 par-3 pie-1 pod-3 pod-4 pod-5 pod-6 ubq-2 mnDf69

Abstract:

Polarization of the one-cell C. elegans embryo establishes the animal's anterior-posterior (a-p) axis. We have identified reduction-of-function anaphase-promoting complex (APC) mutations that eliminate a-p polarity. We also demonstrate that the APC activator cdc20 is required for polarity. The APC excludes PAR-3 from the posterior cortex, allowing PAR-2 to accumulate there. The APC is also required for tight cortical association and posterior movement of the paternal pronucleus and its associated centrosome. Depletion of the protease separin, a downstream target of the APC, causes similar pronuclear and a-p polarity defects. We propose that the APC/separin pathway promotes close association of the centrosome with the cortex, which in turn excludes PAR-3 from the posterior pole early in a-p axis formation.