Comparative studies of vulva development between @entity2199 and other @entity2199 species have provided some insight into the evolution of patterning networks. However, molecular genetic details are available only in @entity2199 and @entity38888 . To extend our knowledge on the evolution of patterning networks, we studied the @entity2199 male @entity1585 ( @entity1585 ), an equivalence group that has similar developmental origins to the vulval precursor cells (VPCs), which generate the vulva in the hermaphrodite. Similar to VPC fate specification, each @entity1585 cell adopts one of three fates (1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees), and 2 degrees @entity1585 fate specification is mediated by @entity33582 / @entity33582 . We show that 2 degrees @entity1585 specification depends on the presence of a cell with the 1 degree fate. We also provide evidence that Wnt signaling via the Frizzled-like Wnt receptor @entity22265 acts to specify the 1 degree and 2 degrees @entity1585 fate. A requirement for EGF signaling during 1 degree fate specification is seen only when @entity22265 activity is compromised. In addition, activation of the EGF pathway decreases dependence on @entity22265 and causes ectopic hook development. Our results suggest that WNT plays a more significant role than EGF signaling in specifying @entity1585 fates, whereas in VPC specification EGF signaling is the major inductive signal. Nonetheless, the overall logic is similar in the VPCs and the @entity1585 : EGF and/or WNT induce a 1 degree lineage, and @entity33582 / @entity33582 induces a 2 degrees lineage. Wnt signaling is also required for execution of the 1 degree and 2 degrees @entity1585 lineages. @entity22265 and @entity11854 /beta-catenin are preferentially expressed in the presumptive 1 degree cell P11.p. The dynamic subcellular localization of @entity11854 -GFP in P11.p is concordant with the timing of @entity1585 fate determination.

Wnt and EGF pathways act together to induce XXXX male hook development.

@entity33582 :: ('176282(Tax:6239)', 'Gene') :: ['LIN-12', 'Notch', 'NOTCH'] @entity2199 :: ('6239', 'Species') :: ['nematode', 'C. elegans', 'Caenorhabditis elegans'] @entity38888 :: ('54126', 'Species') :: ['Pristionchus pacificus'] @entity11854 :: ('180982(Tax:6239)', 'Gene') :: ['bar-1', 'BAR-1'] @entity1585 :: ('MESH:D065703', 'Disease') :: ['hook competence group', 'HCG'] @entity22265 :: ('171832(Tax:6239)', 'Gene') :: ['LIN-17', 'lin-17']
@entity2199 :: (6239,Species) :: ['C. elegans']
