Medical Biochemistry University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1 Canada Cell shape in animals is determined by a complex network of interactions between extracellular components such as the extracellular matrix and the internal cytoskeleton.
Linkage occurs via integral membrane proteins.
Both external cues, and the cellular differentiation state, determine the specific response of a given cell in regulating its shape. The hypodermal cells in C.elegans undergo a dramatic change in cell shape during morphogenesis of the embryo. This mutation leads to arrest during early morphogenesis but does not affect later stage differentiation markers such as pharyngeal and gut development and cuticle formation. Furthermore, a PH-domain and a Cysteine rich region similar to that found in Protein Kinase C have been identified. Both alleles suppress ca201 to sterile adults.