# MOLECULAR GENETIC STUDIES OF C ELEGANS MORPHOGENESIS

> **NIH NIH K04** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $63,957

## Abstract

Morphogenesis of multicellular organisms requires the synthesis and
assembly of complex extracellular structures.  Although several
extracellular proteins have been identified, little is known about how
these proteins actually function to produce organized macromolecular
structures.  The long-term goals of this proposal are to understand how
extracellular proteins assemble into macromolecular complexes and how these
complexes participate in the morphogenesis and functioning of the organism.
Collagens are the most abundant and ubiquitous of the extracellular
proteins.  Mutations in several collagen genes in the nematode, C. elegans,
have been shown to cause severe defects in organismal function and
morphology.  The powerful genetic and molecular analyses that are possible
in C. elegans, and its simple anatomy, make it an excellent model system
for studying the functions of collagens.  Mutations in several genes that
encode collagens that form the cuticle and in one gene that encodes a
basement membrane collagen of C. elegans have been shown to alter the
morphology and normal functioning of the organism.  Different mutations in
these collagen genes have different genetic properties and can cause very
different morphological defects.  Additional mutant alleles will be
generated so that the genetic and molecular properties of further collagen
defects can be examined.  The effects of defined mutations will be analyzed
by creating transgenic strains carrying in vitro mutagenized collagen
genes.  Antibodies specific for the collagens will be produced and utilized
to analyze the steps of assembly of wild-type and mutant collagens into the
cuticle and basement membranes.  Alterations in the structure of mutant
cuticles and basement membranes will be analyzed by electronmicroscopy,
utilizing the specific antisera.  The cuticle collagen genes have been
shown to interact genetically with other genes that affect organismal
morphology.  These interacting genes are likely to encode proteins that
interact physically, so they will also be subjected to further genetic and
molecular characterization.  These studies will provide insights into the
genetic and molecular properties of collagens and their roles in the
morphogenesis and normal functioning of the organism.  The receipt of an

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2194381
- **Project number:** 5K04HD000900-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KG76WYENL5K1
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES M KRAMER
- **Activity code:** K04 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $63,957
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-04-01 → 1996-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2194381

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2194381, MOLECULAR GENETIC STUDIES OF C ELEGANS MORPHOGENESIS (5K04HD000900-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2194381. Licensed CC0.

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