CGC Bibliography Paper 5347

Caenorhabditis elegans par genes.

Gomes JE, Bowerman B

Medline:
12121631
Citation:
Current Biology 12: R444- 2002
Type:
REVIEW
Genes:
let-99 mex-1 mex-3 mex-5 mex-6 par-1 par-2 par-3 par-6 pie-1 pkc-3 pos-1 spn-4
Abstract:
Six par genes (par-1 through par-6) have been identified in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss-of-function mutations in any par locus results in loss of anterior-posterior (AP) asymmetries during the first two embryonic cell divisions. This results in a failure to restrict developmental regulators to specific embryonic cells, mitotic spindle orientation defects and abnormal cell fate pattering. In sum, the par genes appear responsible for establishing asymmetries that define the AP body axis in C. elegans.