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Page 1 of 5 Mechanism of Cell Fusion
We identified EFF-1 (Epithelial Fusion Failure) & AFF-1 (Anchor cell Fusion Failure), novel type I membrane proteins essential for developmental cell fusion in C. elegans. EFF-1 & AFF-1 from nematodes can fuse heterologous insect cells. EFF-1 is required in both fusing cells and the process is via hemifusion. We will purify EFF-1 and test its fusogenic activities in cells and in reconstituted liposomes.
Control of Cell Fusion
We
have accomplished a complete description of the cellular events leading to the
formation of an organ. Using genetic analyses we identify genes that function
in different cell fusion events in C. elegans.
Cell fusion and Organ Formation
Homotypic cell fusion may control the size of syncytia by preventing fusion with neighboring cells. We focus on the development of the vulva, epidermis and pharynx.
Evolution of Organogenesis
We Study cellular events during morphogenesis of the vulva across species. We found that changes in the direction of cell divisions can result in differences in size and shape of the vulva.
Selected Publications:
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Podbilewicz, B., Leikina, E., Sapir, A., Valansi, C., Suissa, M., Shemer, G. and Chernomordik, L. V. (2006). The C. elegans developmental fusogen EFF-1 mediates homotypic fusion in heterologous cells and in vivo. Dev Cell 11, 471-81. |
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Shemer, G., Suissa, M., Kolotuev, I., Nguyen, K. C., Hall, D. H. and Podbilewicz, B. (2004). EFF-1 is sufficient to initiate and execute tissue-specific cell fusion in C. elegans. Curr Biol 14, 1587-91. |
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Mohler, W. A., Shemer, G., del Campo, J. J., Valansi, C., Opoku-Serebuoh, E., Scranton, V., Assaf, N., White, J. G. and Podbilewicz, B. (2002). The type I membrane protein EFF-1 is essential for developmental cell fusion. Dev Cell 2, 355-62.
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Research 
