ArticlePLoS genetics2023
The proprotein convertase BLI-4 promotes collagen secretion prior to assembly of the Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle.
Article in PLoS genetics, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers.
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18 citing papers in PubMed, 18 citations in OpenAlex.
- Opposing roles for lipocalins and a CD36 family scavenger receptor in apical extracellular matrix-dependent protection of narrow tube integrity.Development (Cambridge, England) · 2026Article
- A Lipocalin and a Hedgehog-related protein are partners in thebioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026Article
- Pre-cuticle DPY-6 acts as a blueprint for aECM periodic organization inbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026Article
- Pre-cuticle DPY-6 acts as a blueprint for aECM periodic organization in C. elegans.PLoS genetics · 2026Article
- Roles and regulation of the Kunitz domain protein MLT-11 during C. elegans cuticle synthesis and molting.Genetics · 2026Article
- MLT-11 is necessary forbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025Article
- Multiscale patterning of a model apical extracellular matrix revealed by systematic endogenous protein tagging.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025Article
- Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Developmental Toxicity inToxics · 2025Article
- A defining member of the new cysteine-cradle family is an aECM protein signalling skin damage in C. elegans.PLoS genetics · 2025Article
- The Pax transcription factor EGL-38 links EGFR signaling to assembly of a cell type-specific apical extracellular matrix in the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva.Developmental biology · 2025Article
- Consensus furin cleavage sites in the cuticular collagens DPY-17 and SQT-3 are required for Q neuroblast left-right asymmetric migration inmicroPublication biology · 2025Article
- A defining member of the new cysteine-cradle family is an aECM protein signalling skin damage inbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2024Article
- The NHR-23-regulated putative protease inhibitorbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2024Article
- Structural and physiological functions ofHeliyon · 2024Review
- The Pax transcription factor EGL-38 links EGFR signaling to assembly of a cell-type specific apical extracellular matrix in thebioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2024Article
- Caenorhabditis elegans Hedgehog-related proteins are tissue- and substructure-specific components of the cuticle and precuticle.Genetics · 2024Article
- The Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle and precuticle: a model for studying dynamic apical extracellular matrices in vivo.Genetics · 2024Review
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7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
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Abstract
Some types of collagens, including transmembrane MACIT collagens and C. elegans cuticle collagens, are N-terminally cleaved at a dibasic site that resembles the consensus for furin or other proprotein convertases of the subtilisin/kexin (PCSK) family. Such cleavage may release transmembrane collagens from the plasma membrane and affect extracellular matrix assembly or structure. However, the functional consequences of such cleavage are unclear and evidence for the role of specific PCSKs is lacking. Here, we used endogenous collagen fusions to fluorescent proteins to visualize the secretion and assembly of the first collagen-based cuticle in C. elegans and then tested the role of the PCSK BLI-4 in these processes. Unexpectedly, we found that cuticle collagens SQT-3 and DPY-17 are secreted into the extraembryonic space several hours before cuticle matrix assembly. Furthermore, this early secretion depends on BLI-4/PCSK; in bli-4 and cleavage-site mutants, SQT-3 and DPY-17 are not efficiently secreted and instead form large intracellular puncta. Their later assembly into cuticle matrix is reduced but not entirely blocked. These data reveal a role for collagen N-terminal processing in intracellular trafficking and the control of matrix assembly in vivo. Our observations also prompt a revision of the classic model for C. elegans cuticle matrix assembly and the pre-cuticle-to-cuticle transition, suggesting that cuticle layer assembly proceeds via a series of regulated steps and not simply by sequential secretion and deposition.
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