The UNC-112 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a novel component of cell-matrix adhesion structures required for integrin localization in the muscle cell membrane

Abstract

Embryos homozygous for mutations in the unc-52, pat-2, pat-3, and unc- 112 genes of C. elegans exhibit a similar Pat phenotype. Myosin and actin are not organized into sarcomeres in the body wall muscle cells of these mutants, and dense body and M-line components fail to assemble. The unc-52 (perlecan), pat-2 α-integrin), and pat-3 (β-integrin) genes encode ECM or transmembrane proteins found at the cell - matrix adhesion sites of both dense bodies and M-lines. This study describes the identification of the unc-112 gene product, a novel, membrane-associated, intracellular protein that colocalizes with integrin at cell-matrix adhesion complexes. The 720-amino acid UNC-112 protein is homologous to Mig-2, a human protein of unknown function. These two proteins share a region of homology with talin and members of the FERM super-family of proteins. We have determined that a functional UNC-112:: GFP fusion protein colocalizes with PAT-3/β-integrin in both adult and embryonic body wall muscle. We also have determined that UNC-112 is required to organize PAT-3/β-integrin after it is integrated into the basal cell membrane, but is not required to organize UNC-52/perlecan in the basement membrane, nor for DEB-1/vinculin to localize with PAT-3/β-integrin. Furthermore, UNC-112 requires the presence of UNC-52/perlecan and PAT-3/β- integrin, but not DEB-1/vinculin to become localized to the muscle cell membrane.