Transcription regulatory networks in Caenorhabditis elegans

Gene

Public Gene Name

unc-60  

Sequence Name

C38C3.5  

WB ID

WBGene00006794  

Description

unc-60 encodes orthologs of actin depolymerizing factor/cofilin, actin-binding proteins that regulate actin filament dynamics; one UNC-60 isoform, UNC-60A, primarily binds G-actin, depolymerizes actin filaments, and inhibits actin polymerization; UNC-60A is essential during early embryonic development for polar body extrusion, cytokinesis, and embryonic patterning; UNC-60B, which does not inhibit actin polymerization, binds F- and G-actin and influences the rate of actin polymerization by the UNC-60B:actin ratio; UNC-60B is required for actin filament organization in body wall muscle, locomotion, and for efficient actin filament disassembly by UNC-78, an actin interactin protein 1 (AIP1) ortholog; UNC-60A and UNC-60B are differentially expressed: UNC-60A is found in oocytes, embryos, and the adult gonad and intestine, while UNC-60B is found in body wall muscle, the vulva, and spermatheca.