{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n In Caenorhabditis elegans, the AJM‐1 protein is a core component of a specialized apical junctional complex that is distinct from the classical cadherin–catenin system. Working together with DLG‐1, AJM‐1 helps define a discrete sub‐domain along the lateral membrane of epithelial cells (see"}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "1"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "and."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "2"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " This AJM‐1/DLG‐1 complex is essential for maintaining proper compartmentalization of adhesion proteins, thereby ensuring robust cell–cell adhesion and tissue integrity during embryonic morphogenesis. For example, loss or misregulation of AJM‐1 disrupts the spatial segregation of adhesion complexes, which can compromise barrier functions and lead to defects in epithelial development (see."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "3"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Furthermore, regulatory proteins such as PHA‐1 have been shown to modulate the expression of AJM‐1 and related junctional components, linking its activity to broader morphogenetic programs required for the proper attachment of epithelial tissues (see."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "4"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Overall, these findings support a model in which AJM‐1 not only acts as a scaffold that organizes the apical junction but also contributes—through its interactions with other junctional proteins—to the dynamic control of cell polarity and tissue morphogenesis."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "5"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n "}]}, {"type": "rg", "children": [{"type": "r", "ref": 1, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Attila Stetak, Alex Hajnal "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "The C. elegans MAGI-1 protein is a novel component of cell junctions that is required for junctional compartmentalization."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Dev Biol (2011)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.10.026"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.10.026"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "21034729"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21034729"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 2, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Michael F Portereiko, Jennifer Saam, Susan E Mango "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "ZEN-4/MKLP1 is required to polarize the foregut epithelium."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Curr Biol (2004)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1016/j.cub.2004.05.052"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2004.05.052"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "15182666"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15182666"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 3, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Christoph Segbert, Kevin Johnson, Carin Theres, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Molecular and functional analysis of apical junction formation in the gut epithelium of Caenorhabditis elegans."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Dev Biol (2004)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1016/j.ydbio.2003.10.019"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2003.10.019"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "14729475"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14729475"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 4, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Aleksandra Kuzmanov, John Yochem, David S Fay "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Analysis of PHA-1 reveals a limited role in pharyngeal development and novel functions in other tissues."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Genetics (2014)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1534/genetics.114.166876"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.114.166876"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "25009149"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25009149"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 5, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Allison M Lynch, Jeff Hardin "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "The assembly and maintenance of epithelial junctions in C. elegans."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) (2009)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.2741/3316"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.2741/3316"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "19273138"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19273138"}]}]}]}