# Consensus furin cleavage sites in the cuticular collagens DPY-17 and SQT-3 are required for Q neuroblast left-right asymmetric migration in Caenorhabditis elegans

## TL;DR

This study shows that specific cleavage sites in two collagens are essential for the asymmetric migration of Q neuroblasts in C. elegans.

## Contribution

The study identifies the functional importance of consensus furin cleavage sites in DPY-17 and SQT-3 for Q neuroblast migration.

## Key findings

- CFCS sites in DPY-17 and SQT-3 are required for their roles in Q neuroblast left-right asymmetric migration.
- bli-4 mutants showed weak effects on migration, suggesting redundancy among proprotein convertase isoforms.
- Apical secretion of cuticular collagens is necessary for Q neuroblast migration and may provide asymmetric guidance.

## Abstract

Previous studies showed that the apically secreted cuticular collagens
DPY-17
,
SQT-3
, and
DPY-14
control the left-right asymmetric migration of the Q neuroblasts in
Caenorhabditis. elegans
. Furthermore, apical secretion of
DPY-17
and
SQT-3
require the
BLI-4
proprotein convertase of the subtilisin/kexin family and the consensus furin cleavage site (CFCS) in the N-terminus of
DPY-17
and
SQT-3
. Work here shows that the CFCS sites of
DPY-17
and
SQT-3
are required for their roles in Q neuroblast migration.

bli-4

mutants had only weak effects on Q neuroblast migration, possibly due to redundancy among isoforms. These results suggest that apical secretion of cuticular collagens is required for Q neuroblast migration. These collagens might themselves provide left-right asymmetric guidance information, or might regulate another aspect of Q cell interaction with the cuticle, such as adhesion.