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Developmental Patterning Genes
14. Genetic Control of Development / Developmental Patterning Genes / Problem 5

During vulva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, the interaction between two neighboring cells, Z1.ppp and Z4.aaa, determines which will become the gonadal anchor cell (from which the vulva forms) and which will become a precursor to the uterus. The lag-2 gene encodes the Notch signal protein, and the LIN-12 gene encodes the Notch receptor protein. By chance, one cell ends up secreting more of the LAG-2 protein than the other cell, which causes the neighboring cell to increase production of the LIN-12 protein. The expression of LIN-12 directs the selection of the uterine pathway. What will the phenotype be if both cells express excess LIN-12 protein?

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