Roles for UNC-6/Netrin Signaling During Cell Invasion in C. Elegans
| dc.contributor.advisor | Sherwood, David R | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ziel, Joshua W | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2012-05-29T16:39:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2012-05-29T16:39:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2011 | |
| dc.department | Biology | |
| dc.description.abstract | Basement membranes are dense, sheet-like forms of extracellular matrix that surround the epithelial tissues of metazoan organisms. While these structures are critical for epithelial support and tissue organization, basement membranes also pose formidable barriers to most cells. However, certain specialized cells are able to breach these barriers and move between tissues. Acquisition of cell invasive behavior by some tumor cells is thought be an important step in cancer progression. Due to the clear basic and clinical importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying cell invasion through basement membranes, cell invasive behaviors has been an area of intense study. In this work I examine a developmentally regulated model of cell invasive behavior in the nematode worm, C. elegans. In this system a single proto-epithelial cell remodels basement membrane to connect two epithelial tissues, the uterus and vulva. Using this model I identify a novel role for UNC-6/Netrin signaling during this process through basement membranes. I show that Netrin signaling is a third regulatory input for AC invasion that functions partially in parallel to fos-1a and the vulval signal. Further I link netrin signaling to the formation of invasive protrusions that penetrate basement membrane. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | ||
| dc.subject | Developmental biology | |
| dc.subject | Cellular biology | |
| dc.subject | C. elegans | |
| dc.subject | cell invasion | |
| dc.subject | Metastasis | |
| dc.subject | netrin | |
| dc.title | Roles for UNC-6/Netrin Signaling During Cell Invasion in C. Elegans | |
| dc.type | Dissertation |