Ablation of the anchor cell in wild-type C. elegans results in a vulva-less phenotype.

What about if the anchor cell is ablated in a let-23 gain-of-function mutant?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of the anchor cell in C. elegans development. The anchor cell is crucial for signaling to the vulval precursor cells (VPCs) to induce vulval development.
2. Recognize that in wild-type C. elegans, ablation of the anchor cell leads to a vulva-less phenotype because the VPCs do not receive the necessary signals to differentiate into vulval tissue.
3. Identify the role of the let-23 gene. The let-23 gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is part of the signaling pathway activated by the anchor cell to induce vulval development.
4. Consider the effect of a gain-of-function mutation in let-23. A gain-of-function mutation means that the let-23 receptor is constitutively active, potentially bypassing the need for the anchor cell signal.
5. Predict the outcome: In a let-23 gain-of-function mutant, even if the anchor cell is ablated, the VPCs may still receive the signal to differentiate into vulval tissue due to the constitutive activity of the let-23 receptor.

Key Concepts

Anchor Cell Function

In C. elegans, the anchor cell is crucial for vulval development as it secretes signals that induce the surrounding cells to form the vulva. Ablation of the anchor cell disrupts this signaling, leading to a vulva-less phenotype. Understanding the role of the anchor cell helps in grasping how cell signaling influences developmental processes.

let-23 Gene and Gain-of-Function Mutations

The let-23 gene encodes a receptor that is part of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathway, which is essential for vulval development. A gain-of-function mutation in let-23 results in increased receptor activity, potentially altering the response of vulval precursor cells to signaling. This concept is vital for predicting how mutations can modify developmental outcomes.

Vulval Development in C. elegans

Vulval development in C. elegans is a well-studied model of cell signaling and fate determination. It involves a series of interactions between the anchor cell and vulval precursor cells, leading to the formation of the vulva. Understanding this process is key to analyzing how genetic mutations, like those in let-23, can affect developmental pathways and phenotypes.