Skip to Content
Merck
  • A branched heterochronic pathway directs juvenile-to-adult transition through two LIN-29 isoforms.

A branched heterochronic pathway directs juvenile-to-adult transition through two LIN-29 isoforms.

eLife (2020-04-01)
Chiara Azzi, Florian Aeschimann, Anca Neagu, Helge Großhans
ABSTRACT

Robust organismal development relies on temporal coordination of disparate physiological processes. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the heterochronic pathway controls a timely juvenile-to-adult (J/A) transition. This regulatory cascade of conserved proteins and small RNAs culminates in accumulation of the transcription factor LIN-29, which triggers coordinated execution of transition events. We report that two LIN-29 isoforms fulfill distinct functions. Functional specialization is a consequence of distinct isoform expression patterns, not protein sequence, and we propose that distinct LIN-29 dose sensitivities of the individual J/A transition events help to ensure their temporal ordering. We demonstrate that unique isoform expression patterns are generated by the activities of LIN-41 for lin-29a, and of HBL-1 for lin-29b, whereas the RNA-binding protein LIN-28 coordinates LIN-29 isoform activity, in part by regulating both hbl-1 and lin-41. Our findings reveal that coordinated transition from juvenile to adult involves branching of a linear pathway to achieve timely control of multiple events.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
3-Indoleacetic acid, suitable for plant cell culture, crystalline
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Sigma-Aldrich
Monoclonal ANTI-FLAG® M2-Peroxidase (HRP) antibody produced in mouse, clone M2, purified immunoglobulin, buffered aqueous glycerol solution
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-Actin Antibody, clone C4, ascites fluid, clone C4, Chemicon®
Pricing and availability is not currently available.