Cell autonomous expression of perlecan and plasticity of cell shape in embryonic muscle of Caenorhabditis elegans

The parameters necessary to the formation of the body wall muscle in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans includes the cell autonomous expression of perlecan, a component of the extracellular matrix. A polyclonal antibody first detected perlecan at the comma stage of muscle development, wherein, muscle cells exhibited morphological flexibility to be able to compensate for missing cells and alterations in tissue composition, and to form a functional quadrant.