The Pax transcription factor EGL-38 links EGFR signaling to assembly of a cell type-specific apical extracellular matrix in the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva.

The surface of epithelial tissues is covered by an apical extracellular matrix (aECM). The aECMs of different tissues have distinct compositions to serve distinct functions, yet how a particular cell type assembles the proper aECM is not well understood. We used the cell type-specific matrix of the C.

The Pax transcription factor EGL-38 links EGFR signaling to assembly of a cell-type specific apical extracellular matrix in the vulva.

The surface of epithelial tissues is covered by an apical extracellular matrix (aECM). The aECMs of different tissues have distinct compositions to serve distinct functions, yet how a particular cell type assembles the proper aECM is not well understood. We used the cell-type specific matrix of the vulva to investigate the connection between cell identity and matrix assembly.

Caenorhabditis elegans Hedgehog-related proteins are tissue- and substructure-specific components of the cuticle and precuticle.

In Caenorhabditis elegans, expanded families of divergent Hedgehog-related and patched-related proteins promote numerous processes ranging from epithelial and sense organ development to pathogen responses to cuticle shedding during the molt cycle. The molecular functions of these proteins have been mysterious since nematodes lack a canonical Hedgehog signaling pathway. Here we show that Hedgehog-related proteins are components of the cuticle and precuticle apical extracellular matrices that coat, shape, and protect external epithelia.

Developmental temperature, more than long-term evolution, defines thermal tolerance in an estuarine copepod.

Climate change is resulting in increasing ocean temperatures and salinity variability, particularly in estuarine environments. Tolerance of temperature and salinity change interact and thus may impact organismal resilience. Populations can respond to multiple stressors in the short-term (i.

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

In , 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.