Fig. 9. A cartoon model demonstrating how actin, NMY-1, LET-502 and MEL-11 regulate elongation of lateral epidermal cells. Prior to elongation, actin (red) is disorganized and NMY-1 (black), LET-502 (blue) and MEL-11 (green) are present throughout the cell. In the early stages of elongation, actin filaments organize perpendicular to the direction of the future cell shape changes. NMY-1 begins to organize into filaments, where it could function as a motor to shorten actin filaments. LET-502 remains at high levels within the cell where it likely phosphorylates and thus sequesters MEL-11 to the membrane. By the end of elongation, NMY-1 forms perpendicular lines similar to actin. LET-502 remains associated with NMY-1 and MEL-11 loses its strong membrane localization and partially returns to the cytoplasm, where it could downregulate myosin activity.

Return to article