Characterization of the astacin family of metalloproteases in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Astacins are a large family of zinc metalloproteases found in bacteria and animals. They have diverse roles ranging from digestion of food to processing of extracellular matrix components. The C. elegans genome contains an unusually large number of astacins, of which the majority have not been functionally characterized yet.

Results

We analyzed the expression pattern of previously uncharacterized members of the astacin family to try and obtain clues to potential functions. Prominent sites of expression for many members of this family are the hypodermis, the alimentary system and several specialized cells including sensory sheath and sockets cells, which are located at openings in the body wall. We isolated mutants affecting representative members of the various su

SUBMITTER: Park JO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2824743 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature