Journal
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
Volume 117, Issue 22, Pages 5209-5220Publisher
COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.01403
Keywords
tetraspanin; TSP-15; epidermis; cuticle; integrity
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Epidermal integrity is essential for animal development and survival. Here, we demonstrate that TSP-15, a member of the tetraspanin protein family, is required for epithelial membrane integrity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Reduction of tsp-15 function by mutation or by RNA interference elicits abnormalities of the hypodermis, including dissociation of the cuticle and degeneration of the hypodermis. Lethality during molting often results. Examination of GFP transgenic animals, genetic mosaic analysis and rescue assays revealed that TSP-15 functions in hyp7, a large syncytium that composes most of the hypodermis. Assays with a membrane-impermeable dye or leakage analysis of a hypodermal-specific marker indicate that the barrier function of the hypodermal membrane is impaired owing to the loss or reduction of TSP-15. These results indicate that TSP-15 functions in the maintenance of epithelial cell integrity.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available