Cell-cell interaction is one of the fundamental processes required for development. Cadherins represent a major superfamily of transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate Calcium-dependent homophilic cell-cell adhesion in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Specifically, cadherins are responsible for cell segregation during morphogenesis, formation and maintenance of tissues, and cell signaling pathways during development. Protein sequence predictions have identified 14 cadherin genes in C. elegans (Hutter et al, 2000; Hill et al, 2001). Two cadherins,
cdh-3 and
hmr-1a , have so far been studied. CDH-3, which was studied by Pettitt et. al., is expressed in developing epithelial cells and a number of neuroectodermal cells that extend processes along some of these epithelial cells. In addition, loss-of-function mutant in
cdh-3 was found to affect the
hyp10 cell, resulting in defective morphogenesis of the tail. HMR-1a, studied by the Priess lab, is essential for adhesion of leading cells during ventral enclosure. We have done expression pattern studies of several cadherin genes by promoter::GFP fusion. R05H10.6 (
cdh-7 ) is expressed in seam cells during larvae to adult stages. F18F11.3/Y66H1B.1 (
cdh-8 ) expression is seen in larvae and adult pharynx. C45G7.6/C45G7.5 (
cdh-10 ) is expressed in hypodermal seam cells throughout the body and its strongest expression is seen in larvae. B0034.3 (
cdh-11 ) expression is faint in late embryos; in adults, it is expressed in the tail neurons PVT, PHA, PHB, PVD, PDE. We also see
cdh-11 expression in the ovarian sheath and SDQR neuron, and neurons in the head lateral ganglia. We are currently attempting to further characterize the functions of these genes.