A model for the two sequential activities of LIN-28 in specifying cell fates.

<p>Top, Genetic formalisms depicting the two <i>lin-28</i> pathways that regulate the L2-to-L3 and the L3-to-L4 fate transitions. Bottom, A schematic time course depicting the regulatory dynamics during the first three larval stages. LIN-14, LIN-28, HBL-1 and LIN-41 are expressed at the start of larval development and are eventually repressed by the microRNAs lin-4, let-7 and the three let-7 family members miR-48, miR-84, and miR-241 (3 let-7s). The approximate times of LIN-14's two activities are indicated with boxed letters. The relevant times of LIN-28's two activities that correspond to the pathways above are depicted with black lines and circled letters.</p

<i>lin-28</i> mutants can be two stages precocious due to <i>let-7</i> activity.

1<p>All strains are homozygous for null alleles of the genes indicated and carry an integrated transgene of the seam cell marker <i>wIs78(scm::GFP; ajm-1::GFP)</i>. All alleles are null.</p>2<p>Percentage of seam cells synthesizing adult alae by early L3.</p>3<p>n = number of seam cells scored.</p

The male tail tip morphogenesis is delayed in let-7 males.

<p>Nomarski images of wild type (A) and <i>let-7</i> null (B) L4 males approximately 8 hours after the L3 molt. The extracellular space between the L4 cuticle and the tail tip in the wildtype indicates the retraction of male tail tip <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002588#pgen.1002588-Nguyen1" target="_blank">[68]</a>. Arrow head, unretracted hypodermis in the <i>let-7</i> mutant.</p

Genetic interactions of heterochronic mutants.

1<p>All animals examined were homozygous for null alleles of the genes indicated and carry an integrated transgene <i>wIs78(scm::GFP; ajm-1::GFP)</i> to mark seam cells. All alleles are null.</p>2<p>Seam cell counts were performed on L4 animals except where indicated.</p>3<p>Alae formation was assessed in the early L4 stage.</p>4<p>Strains carrying the <i>let-7</i> mutation additionally contained a linked <i>unc-3</i> mutant allele. They were grown at 15°C to limit constitutive dauer formation that results from the <i>unc-3</i> mutation at higher temperatures in these backgrounds.</p>5<p>Seam cell fusion with no alae formation was observed in the other 85% of animals.</p><p>SEM, standard error of the mean; ND, not determined.</p

<i>lin-28</i> positively regulates <i>hbl-1</i> reporter expression.

<p>Nomarski and fluorescence micrographs of <i>hbl-1::GFP::hbl-1 3′UTR</i> reporter expression. Early stages are late L1 or early L2. Late stages are L4 or age-matched post-L3 molt <i>lin-28</i> animals. A, wild type. B, <i>mir-48 mir-241; mir-84 (3 let-7s)</i>. C, <i>lin-28; mir-48 mir-241; mir-84 (lin-28; 3 let-7s)</i>. D, a <i>hbl-1::GFP::unc-54 3′UTR</i> reporter in <i>lin-28; mir-48 mir-241; mir-84 (lin-28; 3 let-7s)</i>. Se, seam nuclei. hyp, hyp7 nuclei. All fluorescence images were captured with a 2 sec. exposure time. Scale bar, 10 microns.</p

Relative contribution of <i>hbl-1</i> and <i>lin-41</i> for the <i>let-7</i> retarded phenotype.

1<p>The <i>let-7</i> mutants were identified by Unc phenotype due to the <i>unc-3</i> mutation.</p>2<p>The precocious alae were assessed at the end of L3–L4 molt or in the early L4 stage of development.</p>3<p>As previously noted, <i>hbl-1(RNAi)</i> causes a proliferation defect in the late L4 which is not interpreted as heterochronic <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002588#pgen.1002588-Lin2" target="_blank">[53]</a>. These divisions were not scored.</p><p>ND, not determined.</p

Seam cell lineages of animals with altered <i>lin-28</i> activity.

<p>Lineage patterns characteristic of lateral hypodermal seam cells V1, V2, V3, V4 and V6. Left to right: Wild type <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002588#pgen.1002588-Sulston1" target="_blank">[56]</a>. Animals lacking <i>mir-48</i>, <i>mir-84</i>, and <i>mir-241</i> (<i>3 let-7s</i>), or animals carrying a transgene constitutively expressing <i>lin-28</i> (<i>lin-28(gf)</i>) <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002588#pgen.1002588-Moss3" target="_blank">[62]</a>. <i>let-7</i> null mutants, whose defect in these lineages is first visible in the late L4 stage. Two types of seam cell lineages observed in <i>lin-28</i> null mutants <a href="http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002588#pgen.1002588-Ambros1" target="_blank">[1]</a>. Seam cell lineages that skip L2 fates in <i>lin-28(low RNAi)</i> animals (see text). Three horizontal lines indicate the time of adult alae formation. Dashed lines indicate variable lineage patterns in <i>lin-28(gf)</i> animals.</p