Autophagy SEPArates germline and somatic cells

Cell. 2009 Jan 23;136(2):207-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.01.003.

Abstract

Cellular determinants of the germline selectively accumulate in germ cell precursors and influence cell fate during early development in many organisms. Zhang et al. (2009) now report that targeted autophagy mediated by the SEPA-1 protein depletes germplasm proteins from somatic cells during early development of the nematode.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autophagy
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / embryology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
  • Germ Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • SEPA-1 protein, C elegans