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The daf-4 gene encodes a bone morphogenetic protein receptor controlling C. elegans dauer larva development

Nature volume 365, pages 644–649 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

THE bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family is a conserved group of signalling molecules within the transforming growth fact-or-β (TGF-β) superfamily1,2. This group, including theDrosophila decapentaplegic (dpp) protein and the mammalian BMPs, mediates cellular interactions and tissue differentiation during development3,4. Here we show that a homologue of human BMPs controls a developmental switch in the life cycle of the free-living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Starvation and overcrowding induce C. elegans to form a developmentally arrested, third-stage dauer larva5. The daf-4 gene, which acts to inhibit dauer larva formation and promote growth, encodes a receptor protein kinase similar to the daf-1, activin and TGF-β receptor serine/ threonine kinases. When expressed in monkey COS cells, thedaf-4receptor binds human BMP-2 and BMP-4. The daf-4 receptor is the first to be identified for any growth factor in the BMP family.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Biology Program and Division of Biological Sciences, 311 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA

    Miguel Estevez, Patrice S. Albert & Donald L. Riddle

  2. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cell Biology and Genetics Program, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York, 10021, USA

    Liliana Attisano, Jeffrey L. Wrana & Joan Massagué

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  1. Miguel Estevez
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  2. Liliana Attisano
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  4. Patrice S. Albert
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  5. Joan Massagué
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  6. Donald L. Riddle
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Estevez, M., Attisano, L., Wrana, J. et al. The daf-4 gene encodes a bone morphogenetic protein receptor controlling C. elegans dauer larva development. Nature 365, 644–649 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/365644a0

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