Fig. 1.

Spatial patterning of VPCs in C. elegans. The AC in the gonad releases LIN-3, which distributes across the linear array of VPCs (P3.p-P8.p). This factor binds its receptor LET-23 on the basal surface of the precursor cells and provides an inductive signal for fate specification. The interplay between the inductive signal (LIN-3:LET-23 complexes) and lateral coupling between neighboring cells mediated by LIN-12 and its ligands specifies P3.p-P8.p cells to three distinct cell fates (1°, 2°, and 3°).