Ras protein let-60; The level of let-60 controls the switch between vulval and hypodermal cell fates during C.elegans vulval induction. May stimulate the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity of rap-1. Belongs to the small GTPase superfamily. Ras family.

Protein lin-3; Probable ligand for tyrosine kinase receptor let-23. Essential for vulval induction, where it acts downstream of the synthetic multivulva (synMuv) class genes. Probably by activating let-23, phospholipase plc-3 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor itr-1 signaling cascade, plays a role in ovulation by promoting gonadal sheath cell contractions and spermatheca dilatation during ovulation. Probably by regulating neuronal transmission in ALA neurons, mediates the decrease in pharyngeal pumping and locomotion during the quiescent state that precedes each larval molt, by [...]

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase let-23; Tyrosine-protein kinase receptor which, upon binding ligand lin-3, activates 2 signaling cascades: the let-60/Ras and MAP kinase signaling pathway and the let-60-independent phospholipase C-mediated Ca(2+) signaling pathway. Each pathway regulates distinct functions. By activating let-60/Ras, regulates larval development, induction of vulva cell precursors during vulva development, male spicule formation and posterior development of the epidermis. Probably by activating phospholipase plc-3 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor itr-1 signalin [...]

Homeobox protein lin-39; Transcription factor that binds to the consensus 5'- TGATNNAT(G/T)(G/A)-3' PBC/Hox motif of target genes to regulate gene expression. Binds to the consensus PBC/Hox motif lineage enhancer region of sem-2 to promote cell fate specification in the postembryonic mesoderm (also known as the M lineage). Regulates the expression of mig-13 which controls the asymmetric distribution of actin cytoskeleton-binding protein cor-1 in Q neuroblasts. This in turn controls the polarity migration of Q neuroblasts and the subsequent mid-body region-specific development. Belongs [...]

EGL-17; Belongs to the heparin-binding growth factors family.

Protein lin-12; Involved in several cell fate decisions that require cell- cell interactions. It is possible that lin-12 encodes a membrane-bound receptor for a signal that enables expression of the ventral uterine precursor cell fate. Activity in cell fate decisions and tumorigenesis is negatively regulated by sel-10. Functions in uterine cells to promote basement membrane mobility during tissue remodeling.

Raf homolog serine/threonine-protein kinase; Protein kinase that participates in the induction of vulva and has roles in fertility and viability. Acts downstream of the Ras protein let-60. Required for progression of developing oocytes through the pachytene stage. Plays a role in responses to M.nematophilum- mediated bacterial infection by promoting tail swelling and preventing constipation. Positively regulates lifespan upstream of mek-2 and mpk-1. Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. TKL Ser/Thr protein kinase family. RAF subfamily.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase mpk-1; Function in let-60 Ras signaling pathway; acts downstream of lin-45 raf kinase, but before the lin-1 gene product in controlling vulval cell differentiation. Plays a negative role in proximal germline proliferation in the mitotic zone. Required for progression of developing oocytes through the pachytene stage. In oocytes, inhibits the activity of the chloride channel clh-3, likely by activating gck-3. Plays a role in response to M.nematophilum-mediated bacterial infection by promoting tail swelling and preventing constipation. Involved in fluid h [...]

Protein lin-2; May play a structural role in the induction of the vulva. May be required for the localization of signal transduction molecules (such as let-23 receptor) to either the basal membrane domain or the cell junctions.