UNC-73 activates the Rac GTPase and is required for cell and growth cone migrations in C. elegans

Research was conducted to characterize the unc-73 gene product from Caenorhabditis elegans as it relates to guided cell and growth cone migrations. Results showed that unc-73 affected several cell migrations in C. elegans and influenced pioneer and non-pioneer growth cone and cell migrations. They also indicated that the unc-73 peptide was capable of activating Rac and inducing actin reorganization characteristic of membrane ruffling.