Inductive signaling during vulval development in C. elegans

(a) Six cells, P3.p to P8.p, have potential to develop into vulva. Anchor cell Vulval precursor cells (VPCs) Iin-3 expression in anchor cell Vulval precursor cells (VPCs) (b) The three cells closest to anchor cell—PS.p to P7.p—form the vulva; the other cells develop into hypodermis. One cell has 1° identity and fomts the central part; two flanking cells adopt 2° fate and form peripheral parts. (c) Loss of the anchor cell results in loss of vulval development; all cells adopt hypodermal fate. . Anchor cell ablated (d) Inductive signal from anchor cell induces vulval cell differentiation.