Atypical TGF-β signaling controls neuronal guidance in .

Coordinated expression of cell adhesion and signaling molecules is crucial for brain development. Here, we report that the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) type I receptor SMA-6 (small-6) acts independently of its cognate TGF-β type II receptor DAF-4 (dauer formation-defective-4) to control neuronal guidance. SMA-6 directs neuronal development from the hypodermis through interactions with three, orphan, TGF-β ligands.

mir-234 controls neuropeptide release at the Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction.

miR-137 is a highly conserved microRNA (miRNA) that is associated with the control of brain function and the etiology of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Caenorhabditis elegans genome encodes a single miR-137 ortholog called mir-234, the function of which is unknown. Here we show that mir-234 is expressed in a subset of sensory, motor and interneurons in C.

A Protein Disulfide Isomerase Controls Neuronal Migration through Regulation of Wnt Secretion.

Appropriate Wnt morphogen secretion is required to control animal development and homeostasis. Although correct Wnt globular structure is essential for secretion, proteins that directly mediate Wnt folding and maturation remain uncharacterized. Here, we report that protein disulfide isomerase-1 (PDI-1), a protein-folding catalyst and chaperone, controls secretion of the Caenorhabditis elegans Wnt ortholog EGL-20.

Exploring the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis of MODY3.

Background/aim: MODY3 associated with HNF1A is the most common form of MODY and is clinically misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes due to similar clinical symptoms. This study aimed to analyze the role of HNF1A-regulated miRNAs as a biomarker in the diagnosis of MODY3. Materials and methods: MIN6 cells were transfected with the HNF1A cDNA expression vector for overexpression or with siRNA specific to HNF1A to silence its expression.