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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.12.26.573316

C. elegans Hedgehog-related proteins are tissue- and substructure-specific components of the cuticle and pre-cuticle

Serra, N. D.·Darwin, C. B.·Sundaram, M. V.
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Abstract

In C. elegans, divergent Hedgehog-related (Hh-r) and Patched-related (PTR) proteins promote numerous processes ranging from epithelial and sense organ development to pathogen responses to cuticle shedding during the molt cycle. Here we show that Hh-r proteins are actual components of the cuticle and pre-cuticle apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) that coat, shape, and protect external epithelia. Different Hh-r proteins stably associate with the aECMs of specific tissues and with specific substructures such as furrows and alae. Hh-r mutations can disrupt matrix structure. These results provide a unifying model for the function of nematode Hh-r proteins and highlight ancient connections between Hh proteins and the extracellular matrix.

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Serra, N. D., Darwin, C. B., Sundaram, M. V.. 2023-12-26. C. elegans Hedgehog-related proteins are tissue- and substructure-specific components of the cuticle and pre-cuticle. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.12.26.573316

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