Non-neuronal cell outgrowth in Caenorhabditis elegans model system

1 Abstract Oriented cell growth is an important process for regular tissue development, in which regulated changes in cell shapes occur. An important role in this mechanism is played by remodelling of cytoskeletal elements in the growing parts of the cell, which is regulated by many extracellular and intracellular factors. This bachelor's thesis is focused on oriented non-neuronal cells growth in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, specifically the growth of the excretory cell and the anchor cell invasion. The growth mechanism of the excretory canal cell is in many aspects similar to growth of neurons, however it also involves a unique mechanism of growth through extension of an intracellular lumen. In case of the anchor cell the growth mechanisms support the basement membrane disruption and invasive behavior reminiscent of metastatic cancer cells. Regulation of growth of these two cells thus could serve as a good model for human pathologies such as cystic kidney disease or cancer cell metastasis, and therefore further study in this area could lead to new insights into these diseases. At the end of the thesis, other non- neuronal cells with oriented growth in the model organism C.elegans are briefly described. Key words: cell outgrowth, excretory canal cell, anchor cell, signalling, cytoskeleto