Multiple cell interactions are required for fate specification during male spicule development in Caenorhabditis elegans

摘要: The B blast cell divides postembryonically in C. elegans males to produce 47 progeny that include all of the cells copulatory spicules. During early development lineage, anterior daughter B, B.a, generates eight cells. These migrate form four pairs flank developing cloaca (ventral, dorsal, and two identical lateral pairs). For each pair, more produces a distinct lineage ('anterior fate') from posterior ('posterior fate'). ventral dorsal pairs, either can position other migrates (Sulston Horvitz, 1977, Dev. Biol. 56, 110–156). migration is variable, although resultant fate pattern invariant. In both are Using laser microbeam selectively ablate neighboring we have found pair also respond positional cues. male-specific provide extracellular general, F U promote fates, Y promotes some B.a fates. Several these cues redundant. By ablating combinations deduced how signals may act concert specify fates progeny. We propose specification depends on three general classes cues: cues, modulators signals. thus provides an opportunity study with single resolution integration multiple intercellular