Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA.
Dev Dyn. 2010 May;239(5):1315-29. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.22233.
Cell specification requires that particular subsets of cells adopt unique expression patterns that ultimately define the fates of their descendants. In C. elegans, cell fate specification involves the combinatorial action of multiple signals that produce activation of a small number of "blastomere specification" factors. These initiate expression of gene regulatory networks that drive development forward, leading to activation of "tissue specification" factors. In this review, the C. elegans embryo is considered as a model system for studies of cell specification. The techniques used to study cell fate in this species, and the themes that have emerged, are described.
细胞特化要求特定的细胞亚群采用独特的表达模式，最终决定其后代的命运。在秀丽隐杆线虫中，细胞命运特化涉及多种信号的组合作用，这些信号产生少数“胚细胞特化”因子的激活。这些因子启动基因调控网络的表达，推动发育前进，导致“组织特化”因子的激活。在这篇综述中，秀丽隐杆线虫胚胎被视为细胞特化研究的模型系统。描述了在该物种中研究细胞命运的技术以及出现的主题。
