The putative Notch ligand HyJagged is a transmembrane protein present in all cell types of adult Hydra and upregulated at the boundary between bud and parent
2011

Discovery of HyJagged, a Notch Ligand in Hydra

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Andrea Prexl, Sandra Münder, Bernhard Loy, Elisabeth Kremmer, Susanne Tischer, Angelika Böttger

Primary Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Hypothesis

Is there a Notch ligand in Hydra that plays a role in boundary formation during budding?

Conclusion

HyJagged is a conserved Notch ligand in Cnidarians that may be involved in the formation of the parent-bud boundary in Hydra.

Supporting Evidence

  • Hyjagged mRNA is undetectable in adult Hydra but is strongly upregulated at the border between bud and parent.
  • HyJagged protein is found in all cell types of adult Hydra, localizing to membranes and endosomes.
  • Co-localization experiments showed that HyJagged is present in the same cells as HvNotch.

Takeaway

Scientists found a protein called HyJagged in Hydra that helps cells communicate during the budding process, which is when a new Hydra grows from the parent.

Methodology

The study involved cloning the HyJagged gene, analyzing its expression through in situ hybridization, and examining protein localization using immunofluorescence.

Limitations

The study did not provide experimental evidence for direct interactions between HyJagged and HvNotch.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2121-12-38

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