A conserved LIM protein that affects muscular adherens junction integrity and mechanosensory function in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: We describe here the molecular and functional characterization of the Caenorhabditis elegans unc-97 gene, whose gene product constitutes a novel component of muscular adherens junctions. UNC-97 and homologues from several other species define the PINCH family, a family of LIM proteins whose modular composition of five LIM domains implicates them as potential adapter molecules. unc-97 expression is restricted to tissue types that attach to the hypodermis, specifically body wall muscles, vulval muscles, and mechanosensory neurons. In body wall muscles, the UNC-97 protein colocalizes with the beta-integrin PAT-3 to the focal adhesion-like attachment sites of muscles. Partial and complete loss-of-function studies demonstrate that UNC-97 affects the structural integrity of the integrin containi

SUBMITTER: Hobert O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2148118 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature