MIG-13 controls anteroposterior cell migration by interacting with UNC-71/ADM-1 and SRC-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

The transmembrane protein MIG-13 is a key regulator required for anterior migration of neural cells in Caenorhabditis elegans, but the signaling mechanisms involved remain unknown. Here, we isolated a suppressor mutation in the unc-71/adm-1 gene, which rescued the AVM neuron migration defect in mig-13 mutants. Genetic analyses revealed that UNC-71 at least partly acts downstream of MIG-13 and has an inhibitory effect on the anterior cell migration. The unc-71 mutation also rescued the anterior migration defect of AVM neuron in src-1 mutants. These findings suggest that MIG-13 controls anteroposterior cell migration by interacting with UNC-71 and SRC-1 in C. elegans.

► MIG-13 is crucial for anterior neural cell migration in Caenorhabditis elegans.
► A mutation in the unc-71 gene rescues the migration defects in mig-13 mutants.
► The unc-71 mutation also rescues the migration defects in src-1 mutants.
► MIG-13 controls anterior cell migration by interacting with UNC-71 and SRC-1.