C. elegans lag-2 Functional Gene Editing Service

Service Overview Precision editing of lag-2 in a premier genetic model for Notch signaling, cell fate specification, and developmental genetics

lag-2 encodes a DSL-family transmembrane ligand of Caenorhabditis elegans, related to the mammalian Jagged/Serrate class (JAG1, JAG2). It is expressed in the somatic distal tip cell, where it activates GLP-1/Notch in the adjacent germ cells and holds them in the mitotic stem cell state.

The same ligand is used elsewhere: it provides the anchor cell signal in the AC/VU decision and, together with APX-1 and DSL-1, contributes redundantly to the vulval lateral signal. That reuse across stages is why conditional configurations matter here. CD BioSciences delivers custom lag-2 alleles — knockouts, conditional and temperature-sensitive configurations, DSL-domain point mutants, human-variant knockins, and fluorescent or epitope tag knockins — with full genotype verification.

About the Target Gene: lag-2 Key biological and practical facts to inform your edit design

Gene symbol	lag-2 (DSL-family transmembrane Notch ligand)
Protein product	LAG-2 — DSL-family transmembrane Notch ligand
Mammalian homolog	JAG1 / JAG2 (Jagged / Serrate class)
Biological role	A transmembrane DSL ligand of Caenorhabditis elegans, related to the mammalian Jagged/Serrate class. It is expressed by the somatic distal tip cell and acts as the niche signal that activates GLP-1/Notch in adjacent germ cells, holding them in the mitotic stem cell state. The same ligand is redeployed for the anchor cell / ventral uterine precursor decision and, redundantly with APX-1 and DSL-1, for the vulval lateral signal.
Loss-of-function phenotype	Reducing lag-2 activity causes germ cells to leave the mitotic cycle and enter meiosis prematurely, giving the Glp sterile phenotype. In the somatic gonad the AC/VU decision fails and both cells become anchor cells. Temperature-sensitive alleles such as q420ts additionally reveal LIN-12(0)-like defects in the postembryonic M lineage, where ventral cells that should become sex myoblasts become coelomocytes instead.
Why edit it	The distal tip cell / LAG-2 / GLP-1 axis is the canonical example of a stem cell niche: one somatic cell, one ligand, one receptor, and a graded response that positions the boundary between self-renewal and differentiation. It is also the clearest system for studying how a ligand deployed at one stage is reused at others, since the same gene acts in the embryo, the somatic gonad, and the vulva.
Recommended background	N2 (wild type). Because the germline role is essential for fertility, we recommend temperature-sensitive or conditional configurations for stage-specific questions, and scoring both the germline and somatic gonad phenotypes.
Representative allele	Classic temperature-sensitive alleles q411ts and q420ts; custom CRISPR nulls, conditional configurations, DSL-domain point mutants, and tag knockins available on request.

Fig. 1 LAG-2, the distal tip cell DSL ligand that licenses germline stem cell self-renewal in C. elegans. The highlighted (amber) node marks the editing target.

lag-2 at a glance: lag-2 is the niche ligand that keeps germ cells mitotic; reducing it triggers premature meiosis and sterility. Editing lag-2 alone is a powerful way to dissect LAG-2 function in vivo, with conserved relevance to human JAG1 biology.

Our lag-2 Editing Strategies Choose the allele that matches your experimental question

Gene Knockout

gRNA-guided Cas9 cutting with NHEJ repair to introduce frameshift indels, generating premature stop codons and null / strong-loss-of-function lag-2 alleles.

Knockin & Tagging

Homology-directed repair (HDR) inserts GFP / HA / FLAG or other tags at the lag-2 locus for endogenous expression and subcellular localization studies.

Point Mutation

Introduce specific amino-acid substitutions to dissect functional domains and separate catalytic from scaffolding roles of LAG-2.

Conditional & Reporter Alleles

Build tissue-specific, inducible, or temperature-sensitive configurations and reporter lines for spatiotemporal analysis of LAG-2 function.

Plan for the fact that this ligand is used more than once. A straight null removes the germline, AC/VU and vulval inputs together, so if you want to separate them, use a conditional configuration or a temperature-sensitive allele and shift at the relevant stage. Tagged alleles are also useful here: LAG-2 localization at the distal tip cell membrane is itself a readable output.

Workflow of Our lag-2 Editing Service From sequence to validated strain in a streamlined pipeline

Strategy Design

Define target (knockout / knockin / point mutation), select gRNA(s) and HDR template, confirm against the latest genome build.

gRNA Synthesis

Design, validate, and synthesize high-specificity guide RNAs targeting the lag-2 locus.

Vector & Template Construction

Build Cas9 / gRNA delivery construct and, for knockin, the homology-arm repair template.

Microinjection

Perform gonadal microinjection of N2 animals with CRISPR components and co-CRISPR selection markers.

Screening & Verification

PCR, Sanger / sequencing, and phenotype confirmation to isolate edited animals and verify alleles.

Delivery & Report

Provide homozygous / balanced lag-2 strains plus a full genotype and methods report.

Key Features Why researchers choose CD BioSciences for C. elegans editing

High-efficiency, optimized CRISPR / Cas9 platform for C. elegans.
Whole-process technical traceability and transparent timelines.
Flexible editing: knockout, knockin, tagging, and point mutation.
Full genotype verification before strain delivery.
One-stop model development integrated with our C. elegans portfolio.
Competitive pricing and short turnaround.
Direct access to scientists and prompt inquiry response.
Reliable, convenient global shipping of frozen stocks.

Applications Where a custom lag-2 model adds value

DSL ligand biology and Jagged-class receptor engagement.
Germline stem cell niche and distal tip cell signaling.
Mitosis versus meiosis boundary in the germ line.
Anchor cell / ventral uterine precursor fate decision.
Vulval lateral signaling redundant with APX-1 and DSL-1.
Postembryonic M lineage patterning via LIN-12.
Notch ligand-receptor interaction screening in vivo.

Deliverables What you receive with every project

Genetically verified lag-2 edited strain(s) (homozygous or balanced).
Detailed genotyping report (editing strategy, allele sequence, verification data).
Methods summary and rearing / storage recommendations.
Optional: crosses into reporter, vulval-phenotype, or co-CRISPR selection backgrounds.
Optional: phenotype confirmation, germline and vulval scoring, and imaging support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of lag-2 allele will I get from a knockout project?

Standard knockout projects deliver a frameshift indel allele predicted to produce a premature stop and a loss-of-function phenotype. We confirm the edit by sequencing and, where relevant, by characteristic phenotype assays.

Can you add a GFP or epitope tag to endogenous lag-2?

Yes. Using HDR with a designed repair template, we can insert GFP, HA, or FLAG tags at the C- or N-terminus while preserving endogenous promoter and regulation.

How long does a typical lag-2 editing project take?

Timelines vary with editing type and validation needs, but our optimized pipeline and co-CRISPR selection typically shorten turnaround versus conventional approaches. Contact us with your design for a project-specific estimate.

Why does the same ligand appear in the germ line, the AC/VU decision, and the vulva?

Because C. elegans reuses a small set of signalling components in many contexts. LAG-2 is presented by whichever cell needs to signal at that moment — the distal tip cell for germline stem cells, the anchor cell precursor for the AC/VU decision, and the primary vulval precursor for the lateral signal. The consequence for experiment design is that a null is pleiotropic, and stage- or tissue-specific configurations are usually needed to ask a clean question. In the vulva specifically, LAG-2, APX-1 and DSL-1 act redundantly, so single ligand knockouts there are often near-normal.

Start Your lag-2 Editing Project

CD BioSciences is committed to convenient, efficient, and cost-effective C. elegans model customization. Tell us your target design — knockout, knockin, tagging, or point mutation — and our scientists will respond with a tailored plan and quote.

References
1. Kim H. M., Colaiácovo M. P. CRISPR-Cas9-guided genome engineering in C. elegans. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 2016, 115(1): 31.7.1–31.7.18.
2. Henderson S. T., Gao D., Lambie E. J., Kimble J. lag-2 may encode a signaling ligand for the GLP-1 and LIN-12 receptors of C. elegans. Development, 1994, 120(10): 2913–2924.

For research use only.