Anchor cell
Encyclopedia
The anchor cell is a cell in nematodes such as Caenorhabditis elegans
. It is important in the development of the reproductive system, as it is required for the production of the tube of cells that allows embryos to pass from the uterus
through the vulva to the outside of the worm.
During the development of C. elegans hermaphrodites, the anchor cell produces a signalling molecule (LIN-3/EGF
) that induces nearby epidermal cells to develop into the vulva. The anchor cell also produces another signal (the Notch ligand LAG-2) that induces adjacent uterine cells to become the π cells, some of which will later connect the uterus to the vulva. The anchor cell next removes the basement membrane
that separates the uterus and vulva and invades, initiating the connection between the uterus and the vulva. Finally the anchor cell fuses with eight of the π cells to form the uterine seam cell.
Caenorhabditis elegans
Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-living, transparent nematode , about 1 mm in length, which lives in temperate soil environments. Research into the molecular and developmental biology of C. elegans was begun in 1974 by Sydney Brenner and it has since been used extensively as a model...
. It is important in the development of the reproductive system, as it is required for the production of the tube of cells that allows embryos to pass from the uterus
Uterus
The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
through the vulva to the outside of the worm.
During the development of C. elegans hermaphrodites, the anchor cell produces a signalling molecule (LIN-3/EGF
Epidermal growth factor
Epidermal growth factor or EGF is a growth factor that plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation by binding to its receptor EGFR...
) that induces nearby epidermal cells to develop into the vulva. The anchor cell also produces another signal (the Notch ligand LAG-2) that induces adjacent uterine cells to become the π cells, some of which will later connect the uterus to the vulva. The anchor cell next removes the basement membrane
Basement membrane
The basement membrane is a thin sheet of fibers that underlies the epithelium, which lines the cavities and surfaces of organs including skin, or the endothelium, which lines the interior surface of blood vessels.- Composition :...
that separates the uterus and vulva and invades, initiating the connection between the uterus and the vulva. Finally the anchor cell fuses with eight of the π cells to form the uterine seam cell.
External links
- Anchor cell page at Wormbase – part of the anatomy ontology of C. elegans.