Meera V. Sundaram

A Lipocalin and a Hedgehog-related protein are partners in the C. elegans pre-cuticle apical extracellular matrix

The paper identifies LPR-3 and WRT-10 as functional partners in the C. elegans pre-cuticle apical extracellular matrix, showing their interaction patterns and roles in matrix organization.

Apical spectrin organizes cortical actin filament bundles to pattern C. elegans cuticle ridges

The paper shows that apical spectrin organizes actin filament bundles in C. elegans to pattern cuticle ridges, and its loss disrupts ridge formation and matrix delamination.

Pre-cuticle DPY 6 acts as a blueprint for aECM periodic organization in C. elegans

The paper shows DPY-6 guides periodic furrow formation in C. elegans cuticle by acting as a molecular mold during molts.

Opposing roles for lipocalins and a CD36 family scavenger receptor in apical extracellular matrix-dependent protection of narrow tube integrity

This study shows that lipocalin LPR-1 and scavenger receptor SCAV-2 have opposing roles in maintaining the apical extracellular matrix of narrow tubes in C. elegans.

FGF-dependent, polarized SOS activity orchestrates directed migration of C. elegans muscle progenitors independently of canonical effectors in vivo

This study identifies FGF-dependent, polarized SOS activity as a mechanism for directing C. elegans muscle progenitor migration, independent of canonical RTK effectors.

The Pax transcription factor EGL-38 links EGFR signaling to assembly of a cell-type specific apical extracellular matrix in the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva

The paper investigates how the Pax transcription factor EGL-38 regulates cell-type specific assembly of the apical extracellular matrix in C. elegans vulva cells.

A transient apical extracellular matrix relays cytoskeletal patterns to shape permanent acellular ridges on the surface of adult C. elegans

The paper shows how actin and a provisional matrix work together to shape acellular ridges in C. elegans cuticle through transient actomyosin constriction and matrix patterning.

A C. elegans Zona Pellucida domain protein functions via its ZPc domain

This study shows that the ZPc domain of LET-653 in C. elegans is primarily responsible for aECM assembly and tissue shaping, contradicting current models that emphasize the ZPn domain.

A multi-layered and dynamic apical extracellular matrix shapes the vulva lumen in Caenorhabditis elegans

The paper describes the dynamic apical extracellular matrix in C. elegans vulva, showing its role in shaping the lumen through distinct molecular components and genetic regulation.