The Rho/Rac family guanine exchange factor VAV-1 regulates rhythmic contractions in C. elegans.

KENNETH R. NORMAN, ROBERT T. FAZZIO, JERRY E. MELLEM, MARIA V. ESPELT, KEVIN STRANGE, MARY C. BECKERLE, ANDRES V. MARICQ.

CELL

CELL PRESS

Año: 2005 vol. 123 p. 129 - 132

0092-8674

Rhythmic behaviors are a fundamental feature of all organisms. Pharyngeal pumping, the defecation cycle, and gonadal-sheath-cell contractions are three well-characterized rhythmic behaviors in the nematode C. elegans. The periodicities of the rhythms range from subsecond (pharynx) to seconds (gonadal sheath) to minutes (defecation). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these rhythmic behaviors are not well understood. Here, we show that the C. elegans from subsecond (pharynx) to seconds (gonadal sheath) to minutes (defecation). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these rhythmic behaviors are not well understood. Here, we show that the C. elegans from subsecond (pharynx) to seconds (gonadal sheath) to minutes (defecation). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these rhythmic behaviors are not well understood. Here, we show that the C. elegans . The periodicities of the rhythms range from subsecond (pharynx) to seconds (gonadal sheath) to minutes (defecation). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these rhythmic behaviors are not well understood. Here, we show that the C. elegansC. elegans Rho/Rac-family guanine nucleotide exchange factor, VAV-1, which is homologous to the mammalian Vav proto-oncogene, has a crucial role in all three behaviors. vav-1 mutants die as larvae because VAV-1 function is required in the pharynx for synchronous contraction of the musculature. In addition, ovulation and the defecation cycle are abnormal and arrhythmic. We show that Rho/Rac-family GTPases and the signaling molecule inositol triphosphate (IP3) act downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. function is required in the pharynx for synchronous contraction of the musculature. In addition, ovulation and the defecation cycle are abnormal and arrhythmic. We show that Rho/Rac-family GTPases and the signaling molecule inositol triphosphate (IP3) act downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. function is required in the pharynx for synchronous contraction of the musculature. In addition, ovulation and the defecation cycle are abnormal and arrhythmic. We show that Rho/Rac-family GTPases and the signaling molecule inositol triphosphate (IP3) act downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. mutants die as larvae because VAV-1 function is required in the pharynx for synchronous contraction of the musculature. In addition, ovulation and the defecation cycle are abnormal and arrhythmic. We show that Rho/Rac-family GTPases and the signaling molecule inositol triphosphate (IP3) act downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+. 3) act downstream of VAV-1 signaling and that the VAV-1 pathway modulates rhythmic behaviors by dynamically regulating the concentration of intracellular Ca2+.2+.