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Alternative splicing affecting a novel domain in the C. elegans EGL-15 FGF receptor confers functional specificity

Author(s): Goodman, SJ; Branda, Catherine; Robinson, Matthew; Burdine, Rebecca; Stern, Michael

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Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors trigger a wide variety of cellular responses as diverse as cell migration, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. However, the molecular basis of the specificity of these responses is not well understood. The C. elegans FGF receptor EGL-15 similarly mediates a number of different responses, including transducing a chemoattractive signal and mediating an essential function. Analysis of the migrationspecific alleles of egl-15 has identified a novel EGL-15 isoform that provides a molecular explanation for the different phenotypic effects of lesions at this locus. Alternative splicing yields two EGL-15 proteins containing different forms of a domain located within the extracellular region of the receptors immediately after the first IG domain. Neither of these two domain forms is found in any other FGF receptor. We have tested the roles of these EGL15 receptor isoforms and their two FGF ligands for their signaling specificity. Our analyses demonstrate different physiological functions for the two receptor variants. EGL-15(5A) is required for the response to the FGF chemoattractant that guides the migrating sex myoblasts to their final positions. By contrast, EGL-15(5B) is both necessary and sufficient to elicit the essential function mediated by this receptor.
Publication Date: Aug-2003
Electronic Publication Date: 15-Aug-2003
Citation: Goodman, SJ. (2003). Alternative splicing affecting a novel domain in the C. elegans EGL-15 FGF receptor confers functional specificity. Development, 130 (16), 3757 - 3766. doi:10.1242/dev.00604
DOI: doi:10.1242/dev.00604
ISSN: 0950-1991
EISSN: 1477-9129
Pages: 3757 - 3766
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: Development
Version: Final published version. Article is made available in OAR by the publisher's permission or policy.



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