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Lamberti ML, Spangler RK, Cerdeira V, Ares M, Rivollet L, Ashley GE, Coronado AR, Tripathi S, Spiousas I, Ward JD, Partch CL, Bénard CY, Goya ME, Golombek DA. Clock gene homologs lin-42 and kin-20 regulate circadian rhythms in C. elegans. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12936. [PMID: 38839826 PMCID: PMC11153552 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62303-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are endogenous oscillations in nearly all organisms, from prokaryotes to humans, allowing them to adapt to cyclical environments for close to 24 h. Circadian rhythms are regulated by a central clock, based on a transcription-translation feedback loop. One important protein in the central loop in metazoan clocks is PERIOD, which is regulated in part by Casein kinase 1ε/δ (CK1ε/δ) phosphorylation. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, period and casein kinase 1ε/δ are conserved as lin-42 and kin-20, respectively. Here, we studied the involvement of lin-42 and kin-20 in the circadian rhythms of the adult nematode using a bioluminescence-based circadian transcriptional reporter. We show that mutations of lin-42 and kin-20 generate a significantly longer endogenous period, suggesting a role for both genes in the nematode circadian clock, as in other organisms. These phenotypes can be partially rescued by overexpression of either gene under their native promoter. Both proteins are expressed in neurons and epidermal seam cells, as well as in other cells. Depletion of LIN-42 and KIN-20, specifically in neuronal cells after development, was sufficient to lengthen the period of oscillating sur-5 expression. Therefore, we conclude that LIN-42 and KIN-20 are critical regulators of the adult nematode circadian clock through neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa L Lamberti
- Laboratorio de Cronobiología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rebecca K Spangler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
| | - Victoria Cerdeira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, CERMO-FC Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Myriam Ares
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, CERMO-FC Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Lise Rivollet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, CERMO-FC Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Guinevere E Ashley
- Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
| | - Andrea Ramos Coronado
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
| | - Sarvind Tripathi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
| | - Ignacio Spiousas
- Laboratorio Interdisciplinario del Tiempo (LITERA), Universidad de San Andrés/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jordan D Ward
- Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
| | - Carrie L Partch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
- Center for Circadian Biology, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Claire Y Bénard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, CERMO-FC Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - M Eugenia Goya
- European Institute for the Biology of Aging, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Diego A Golombek
- Laboratorio de Cronobiología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Laboratorio Interdisciplinario del Tiempo (LITERA), Universidad de San Andrés/CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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2
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Ragle JM, Turzo A, Levenson MT, Jonnalagadda K, Jackson A, Vo AA, Pham VT, Ward JD. MLT-11 is a transient apical extracellular matrix component required for cuticle patterning and function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.12.593762. [PMID: 38766248 PMCID: PMC11100798 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.12.593762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) are associated with all epithelia and form a protective layer against biotic and abiotic threats in the environment. Despite their importance, we lack a deep understanding of their structure and dynamics in development and disease. C. elegans molting offers a powerful entry point to understanding developmentally programmed aECM remodeling. A transient matrix is formed in embryos and at the end of each larval stage, presumably to pattern the new cuticle. Focusing on targets of NHR-23, a key transcription factor which drives molting, we identified the Kunitz family protease inhibitor gene mlt-11 as an NHR-23 target. We identified NHR-23-binding sites that are necessary and sufficient for epithelial expression. mlt-11 is necessary to pattern every layer of the adult cuticle, suggesting a broad patterning role prior to the formation of the mature cuticle. MLT-11::mNeonGreen::3xFLAG transiently localized to the aECM in the cuticle and embryo. It was also detected in lining openings to the exterior (vulva, rectum, mouth). Reduction of mlt-11 function disrupted the barrier function of the cuticle. Tissue-specific RNAi suggested mlt-11 activity is primarily necessary in seam cells and we observed alae and seam cell fusion defects upon mlt-11 inactivation. Predicted mlt-11 null mutations caused fully penetrant embryonic lethality and elongation defects suggesting mlt-11 also plays an important role in patterning the embryonic sheath. Finally, we found that mlt-11 inactivation suppressed the blistered cuticle phenotype of mutants of bli-4 mutants, a subtilisin protease gene but did not affect BLI-4::sfGFP expression. These data could suggest that MLT-11 may be necessary to assure proper levels of BLI-4 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Matthew Ragle
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Ariela Turzo
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Max T. Levenson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Keya Jonnalagadda
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Anton Jackson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - An A. Vo
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Vivian T. Pham
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Jordan D. Ward
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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3
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Patil G, van Zon JS. Timers, variability, and body-wide coordination: C. elegans as a model system for whole-animal developmental timing. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102172. [PMID: 38432125 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Successful development requires both precise timing of cellular processes, such as division and differentiation, and tight coordination of timing between tissues and organs. Yet, how time information is encoded with high precision and synchronized between tissues, despite inherent molecular noise, is unsolved. Here, we propose the nematode C. elegans as a unique model system for studying body-wide control of developmental timing. Recent studies combining genetics, quantitative analysis, and simulations have 1) mapped core timers controlling larval development, indicating temporal gradients as an underlying mechanism, and 2) elucidated general principles that make timing insensitive to inherent fluctuations and variation in environmental conditions. As the molecular regulators of C. elegans developmental timing are broadly conserved, these mechanisms likely apply also to higher organisms.
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4
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Hiroki S, Yoshitane H. Ror homolog nhr-23 is essential for both developmental clock and circadian clock in C. elegans. Commun Biol 2024; 7:243. [PMID: 38418700 PMCID: PMC10902330 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals have internal clocks that generate biological rhythms. In mammals, clock genes such as Period form the circadian clock to generate approximately 24-h biological rhythms. In C. elegans, the clock gene homologs constitute the "developmental clock", which has an 8-h period during larval development to determine the timing of molting. Thus, the ancestral circadian clock has been believed to evolve into the oscillator with a shorter period in C. elegans. However, circadian rhythms have also been observed in adult C. elegans, albeit relatively weak. This prompts the question: if the clock gene homologs drive the developmental rhythm with 8-h period, which genes generate the circadian rhythms in C. elegans? In this study, we discovered that nhr-23, a homolog of the mammalian circadian clock gene Ror, is essential for circadian transcriptional rhythms in adult C. elegans. Interestingly, nhr-23 was also known to be essential for the molting clock. The bilaterian ancestral circadian clock genes might have evolved to function over multiple periods depending on developmental contexts rather than a single 8-h period in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Hiroki
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hikari Yoshitane
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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5
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Kinney B, Sahu S, Stec N, Hills-Muckey K, Adams DW, Wang J, Jaremko M, Joshua-Tor L, Keil W, Hammell CM. A circadian-like gene network programs the timing and dosage of heterochronic miRNA transcription during C. elegans development. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2563-2579.e8. [PMID: 37643611 PMCID: PMC10840721 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Development relies on the exquisite control of both the timing and the levels of gene expression to achieve robust developmental transitions. How cis- and trans-acting factors control both aspects simultaneously is unclear. We show that transcriptional pulses of the temporal patterning microRNA (miRNA) lin-4 are generated by two nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) in C. elegans, NHR-85 and NHR-23, whose mammalian orthologs, Rev-Erb and ROR, function in the circadian clock. Although Rev-Erb and ROR antagonize each other to control once-daily transcription in mammals, NHR-85/NHR-23 heterodimers bind cooperatively to lin-4 regulatory elements to induce a single pulse of expression during each larval stage. Each pulse's timing, amplitude, and duration are dictated by the phased expression of these NHRs and the C. elegans Period ortholog, LIN-42, that binds to and represses NHR-85. Therefore, during nematode temporal patterning, an evolutionary rewiring of circadian clock components couples the timing of gene expression to the control of transcriptional dosage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Kinney
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Shubham Sahu
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168 Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris 75005, France
| | - Natalia Stec
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | | | - Dexter W Adams
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, W. M. Keck Structural Biology Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Matt Jaremko
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, W. M. Keck Structural Biology Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Leemor Joshua-Tor
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, W. M. Keck Structural Biology Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Wolfgang Keil
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR168 Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris 75005, France.
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6
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Myles KM, Ragle JM, Ward JD. An nhr-23::mScarlet::3xMyc knock-in allele for studying spermatogenesis and molting. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000996. [PMID: 37854098 PMCID: PMC10580079 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
C. elegans NHR-23 is a nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor involved in molting, apical extracellular matrix structure, and spermatogenesis. To determine NHR-23 expression dynamics, we previously tagged the endogenous nhr-23 locus with a GFP::AID*::3xFLAG tag. To allow co-localization of NHR-23 with green fluorescent protein-tagged factors of interest, we generated an equivalent strain carrying an mScarlet::3xMyc tag to produce a C-terminal fusion. Similar to the GFP::AID*::3xFLAG knock-in, NHR-23 ::mScarlet::3xMyc was expressed in seam and hypodermal cells, vulval precursor cells, and the spermatogenic germline. We also observed a diffuse NHR-23::mScarlet expression pattern in spermatids and residual bodies after NHR-23 ceased to localize on chromatin. Further examination of this novel localization may provide insight into NHR-23 regulation of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista M. Myles
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - James Matthew Ragle
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
| | - Jordan D. Ward
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
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7
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Johnson LC, Vo AA, Clancy JC, Myles KM, Pooranachithra M, Aguilera J, Levenson MT, Wohlenberg C, Rechtsteiner A, Ragle JM, Chisholm AD, Ward JD. NHR-23 activity is necessary for C. elegans developmental progression and apical extracellular matrix structure and function. Development 2023; 150:dev201085. [PMID: 37129010 PMCID: PMC10233720 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nematode molting is a remarkable process where animals must repeatedly build a new apical extracellular matrix (aECM) beneath a previously built aECM that is subsequently shed. The nuclear hormone receptor NHR-23 (also known as NR1F1) is an important regulator of C. elegans molting. NHR-23 expression oscillates in the epidermal epithelium, and soma-specific NHR-23 depletion causes severe developmental delay and death. Tissue-specific RNAi suggests that nhr-23 acts primarily in seam and hypodermal cells. NHR-23 coordinates the expression of factors involved in molting, lipid transport/metabolism and remodeling of the aECM. NHR-23 depletion causes dampened expression of a nas-37 promoter reporter and a loss of reporter oscillation. The cuticle collagen ROL-6 and zona pellucida protein NOAH-1 display aberrant annular localization and severe disorganization over the seam cells after NHR-23 depletion, while the expression of the adult-specific cuticle collagen BLI-1 is diminished and frequently found in patches. Consistent with these localization defects, the cuticle barrier is severely compromised when NHR-23 is depleted. Together, this work provides insight into how NHR-23 acts in the seam and hypodermal cells to coordinate aECM regeneration during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Londen C. Johnson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - An A. Vo
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - John C. Clancy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Krista M. Myles
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Murugesan Pooranachithra
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joseph Aguilera
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Max T. Levenson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Chloe Wohlenberg
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - James Matthew Ragle
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Andrew D. Chisholm
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jordan D. Ward
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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8
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Meeuse MWM, Hauser YP, Nahar S, Smith AAT, Braun K, Azzi C, Rempfler M, Großhans H. C. elegans molting requires rhythmic accumulation of the Grainyhead/LSF transcription factor GRH-1. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111895. [PMID: 36688410 PMCID: PMC9929640 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
C. elegans develops through four larval stages that are rhythmically terminated by molts, that is, the synthesis and shedding of a cuticular exoskeleton. Each larval cycle involves rhythmic accumulation of thousands of transcripts, which we show here relies on rhythmic transcription. To uncover the responsible gene regulatory networks (GRNs), we screened for transcription factors that promote progression through the larval stages and identified GRH-1, BLMP-1, NHR-23, NHR-25, MYRF-1, and BED-3. We further characterize GRH-1, a Grainyhead/LSF transcription factor, whose orthologues in other animals are key epithelial cell-fate regulators. We find that GRH-1 depletion extends molt durations, impairs cuticle integrity and shedding, and causes larval death. GRH-1 is required for, and accumulates prior to, each molt, and preferentially binds to the promoters of genes expressed during this time window. Binding to the promoters of additional genes identified in our screen furthermore suggests that we have identified components of a core molting-clock GRN. Since the mammalian orthologues of GRH-1, BLMP-1 and NHR-23, have been implicated in rhythmic homeostatic skin regeneration in mouse, the mechanisms underlying rhythmic C. elegans molting may apply beyond nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou W M Meeuse
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Yannick P Hauser
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Smita Nahar
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
| | | | - Kathrin Braun
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
| | - Chiara Azzi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Markus Rempfler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
| | - Helge Großhans
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)BaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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9
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Ragle JM, Morrison KN, Vo AA, Johnson ZE, Hernandez Lopez J, Rechtsteiner A, Shakes DC, Ward JD. NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes during Caenorhabditis elegans spermatogenesis. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:6711396. [PMID: 36135804 PMCID: PMC9635660 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is the process through which mature male gametes are formed and is necessary for the transmission of genetic information. While much work has established how sperm fate is promoted and maintained, less is known about how the sperm morphogenesis program is executed. We previously identified a novel role for the nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor, NHR-23, in promoting Caenorhabditis elegans spermatogenesis. The depletion of NHR-23 along with SPE-44, another transcription factor that promotes spermatogenesis, caused additive phenotypes. Through RNA-seq, we determined that NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes. The depletion of both NHR-23 and SPE-44 produced yet another set of differentially regulated genes. NHR-23-regulated genes are enriched in phosphatases, consistent with the switch from genome quiescence to post-translational regulation in spermatids. In the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum, MFP1 and MFP2 control the polymerization of Major Sperm Protein, the molecule that drives sperm motility and serves as a signal to promote ovulation. NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate several MFP2 paralogs, and NHR-23 depletion from the male germline caused defective localization of MSD/MFP1 and NSPH-2/MFP2. Although NHR-23 and SPE-44 do not transcriptionally regulate the casein kinase gene spe-6, a key regulator of sperm development, SPE-6 protein is lost following NHR-23+SPE-44 depletion. Together, these experiments provide the first mechanistic insight into how NHR-23 promotes spermatogenesis and an entry point to understanding the synthetic genetic interaction between nhr-23 and spe-44.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Matthew Ragle
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | | | - An A Vo
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Zoe E Johnson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Javier Hernandez Lopez
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Diane C Shakes
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
| | - Jordan D Ward
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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10
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Karengera A, Verburg I, Sterken MG, Riksen JAG, Murk AJ, Dinkla IJT. Determining Toxic Potencies of Water-Soluble Contaminants in Wastewater Influents and Effluent Using Gene Expression Profiling in C. elegans as a Bioanalytical Tool. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 83:284-294. [PMID: 36190544 PMCID: PMC9556352 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-022-00959-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
With chemical analysis, it is impossible to qualify and quantify the toxic potency of especially hydrophilic bioactive contaminants. In this study, we applied the nematode C. elegans as a model organism for detecting the toxic potency of whole influent wastewater samples. Gene expression in the nematode was used as bioanalytical tool to reveal the presence, type and potency of molecular pathways induced by 24-h exposure to wastewater from a hospital (H), nursing home (N), community (C), and influent (I) and treated effluent (E) from a local wastewater treatment plant. Exposure to influent water significantly altered expression of 464 genes, while only two genes were differentially expressed in nematodes treated with effluent. This indicates a significant decrease in bioactive pollutant-load after wastewater treatment. Surface water receiving the effluent did not induce any genes in exposed nematodes. A subset of 209 genes was differentially expressed in all untreated wastewaters, including cytochromes P450 and C-type lectins related to the nematode's xenobiotic metabolism and immune response, respectively. Different subsets of genes responded to particular waste streams making them candidates to fingerprint-specific wastewater sources. This study shows that gene expression profiling in C. elegans can be used for mechanism-based identification of hydrophilic bioactive compounds and fingerprinting of specific wastewaters. More comprehensive than with chemical analysis, it can demonstrate the effective overall removal of bioactive compounds through wastewater treatment. This bioanalytical tool can also be applied in the process of identification of the bioactive compounds via a process of toxicity identification evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Karengera
- Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse Verburg
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G. Sterken
- Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albertinka J. Murk
- Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Inez J. T. Dinkla
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
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11
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Patel R, Galagali H, Kim JK, Frand AR. Feedback between a retinoid-related nuclear receptor and the let-7 microRNAs controls the pace and number of molting cycles in C. elegans. eLife 2022; 11:e80010. [PMID: 35968765 PMCID: PMC9377799 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal development requires coordination among cyclic processes, sequential cell fate specifications, and once-a-lifetime morphogenic events, but the underlying timing mechanisms are not well understood. Caenorhabditis elegans undergoes four molts at regular 8 to 10 hour intervals. The pace of the cycle is governed by PERIOD/lin-42 and other as-yet unknown factors. Cessation of the cycle in young adults is controlled by the let-7 family of microRNAs and downstream transcription factors in the heterochronic pathway. Here, we characterize a negative feedback loop between NHR-23, the worm homolog of mammalian retinoid-related orphan receptors (RORs), and the let-7 family of microRNAs that regulates both the frequency and finite number of molts. The molting cycle is decelerated in nhr-23 knockdowns and accelerated in let-7(-) mutants, but timed similarly in let-7(-) nhr-23(-) double mutants and wild-type animals. NHR-23 binds response elements (ROREs) in the let-7 promoter and activates transcription. In turn, let-7 dampens nhr-23 expression across development via a complementary let-7-binding site (LCS) in the nhr-23 3' UTR. The molecular interactions between NHR-23 and let-7 hold true for other let-7 family microRNAs. Either derepression of nhr-23 transcripts by LCS deletion or high gene dosage of nhr-23 leads to protracted behavioral quiescence and extra molts in adults. NHR-23 and let-7 also coregulate scores of genes required for execution of the molts, including lin-42. In addition, ROREs and LCSs isolated from mammalian ROR and let-7 genes function in C. elegans, suggesting conservation of this feedback mechanism. We propose that this feedback loop unites the molting timer and the heterochronic gene regulatory network, possibly by functioning as a cycle counter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruhi Patel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Himani Galagali
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - John K Kim
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Alison R Frand
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
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12
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Zárate-Potes A, Ali I, Ribeiro Camacho M, Brownless H, Benedetto A. Meta-Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans Transcriptomics Implicates Hedgehog-Like Signaling in Host-Microbe Interactions. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:853629. [PMID: 35620104 PMCID: PMC9127769 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.853629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlling nematode-caused diseases that affect cattle and crops world-wide remains a critical economic issue, owing to the lack of effective sustainable interventions. The interdependence of roundworms and their environmental microbes, including their microbiota, offers an opportunity for developing more targeted anthelminthic strategies. However, paucity of information and a currently narrow understanding of nematode-microbe interactions limited to specific infection contexts has precluded us from exploiting it. With the advent of omics approaches to map host-microbe genetic interactions, particularly in the model roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, large datasets are now available across multiple models, that enable identification of nematode-microbe-specific pathways. In this work we collected 20 transcriptomic datasets documenting gene expression changes of C. elegans exposed to 20 different commensal and pathogenic microbes, performing gene enrichment analyses followed by functional testing using RNA interference directed toward genes of interest, before contrasting results from transcriptomic meta-analyses and phenomics. Differential expression analyses revealed a broad enrichment in signaling, innate immune response and (lipid) metabolism genes. Amongst signaling gene families, the nematode-divergent and expanded Hedgehog-like signaling (HHLS) pathway featured prominently. Indeed, 24/60 C. elegans Hedgehog-like proteins (HRPs) and 15/27 Patched-related receptors (PTRs) were differentially expressed in at least four microbial contexts, while up to 32/60 HRPs could be differentially expressed in a single context. interestingly, differentially expressed genes followed a microbe-specific pattern, suggestive of an adaptive microbe-specific response. To investigate this further, we knocked-down 96 individual HHLS genes by RNAi, using high-throughput assays to assess their impact on three worm-gut infection models (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis) and two worm-commensal paradigms (Comamonas sp., and Bacillus subtilis). We notably identified new putative infection response genes whose upregulation was required for normal pathogen resistance (i.e., grl-21 and ptr-18 protective against E. faecalis), as well as commensal-specific host-gene expression changes that are required for normal host stress handling. Importantly, interactions appeared more microbe-specific than shared. Our results thus implicate the Hedgehog-like signaling pathway in the modulation and possibly fine-tuning of nematode-microbe interactions and support the idea that interventions targeting this pathway may provide a new avenue for anthelmintic development.
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13
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Khodakova AS, Vilchis DV, Blackburn D, Amanor F, Samuel BS. Population scale nucleic acid delivery to Caenorhabditis elegans via electroporation. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab123. [PMID: 33872353 PMCID: PMC8495937 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans remains one of the most robust and flexible genetic systems for interrogating the complexities of animal biology. Targeted genetic manipulations, such as RNA interference (RNAi), CRISPR/Cas9- or array-based transgenesis, all depend on initial delivery of nucleic acids. Delivery of dsRNA by feeding can be effective, but the expression in Escherichia coli is not conducive to experiments intended to remain sterile or with defined microbial communities. Soaking-based delivery requires prolonged exposure of animals to high-material concentrations without a food source and is of limited throughput. Last, microinjection of individual animals can precisely deliver materials to animals' germlines, but is limited by the need to target and inject each animal one-by-one. Thus, we sought to address some of these challenges in nucleic acid delivery by developing a population-scale delivery method. We demonstrate efficient electroporation-mediated delivery of dsRNA throughout the worm and effective RNAi-based silencing, including in the germline. Finally, we show that guide RNA delivered by electroporation can be utilized by transgenic Cas9 expressing worms for population-scale genetic targeting. Together, these methods expand the scale and scope of genetic methodologies that can be applied to the C. elegans system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia S Khodakova
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research and Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- SMART Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniela Vidal Vilchis
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research and Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dana Blackburn
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research and Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ferdinand Amanor
- SMART Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Buck S Samuel
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research and Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- SMART Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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14
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Transcriptional profiles in Strongyloides stercoralis males reveal deviations from the Caenorhabditis sex determination model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8254. [PMID: 33859232 PMCID: PMC8050236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87478-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The human and canine parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis utilizes an XX/XO sex determination system, with parasitic females reproducing by mitotic parthenogenesis and free-living males and females reproducing sexually. However, the genes controlling S. stercoralis sex determination and male development are unknown. We observed precocious development of rhabditiform males in permissive hosts treated with corticosteroids, suggesting that steroid hormones can regulate male development. To examine differences in transcript abundance between free-living adult males and other developmental stages, we utilized RNA-Seq. We found two clusters of S. stercoralis-specific genes encoding predicted transmembrane proteins that are only expressed in free-living males. We additionally identified homologs of several genes important for sex determination in Caenorhabditis species, including mab-3, tra-1, fem-2, and sex-1, which may have similar functions. However, we identified three paralogs of gld-1; Ss-qki-1 transcripts were highly abundant in adult males, while Ss-qki-2 and Ss-qki-3 transcripts were highly abundant in adult females. We also identified paralogs of pumilio domain-containing proteins with sex-specific transcripts. Intriguingly, her-1 appears to have been lost in several parasite lineages, and we were unable to identify homologs of tra-2 outside of Caenorhabditis species. Together, our data suggest that different mechanisms control male development in S. stercoralis and Caenorhabditis species.
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15
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Chiyoda H, Kume M, del Castillo CC, Kontani K, Spang A, Katada T, Fukuyama M. Caenorhabditis elegans PTR/PTCHD PTR-18 promotes the clearance of extracellular hedgehog-related protein via endocytosis. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009457. [PMID: 33872306 PMCID: PMC8104386 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatiotemporal restriction of signaling plays a critical role in animal development and tissue homeostasis. All stem and progenitor cells in newly hatched C. elegans larvae are quiescent and capable of suspending their development until sufficient food is supplied. Here, we show that ptr-18, which encodes the evolutionarily conserved patched-related (PTR)/patched domain-containing (PTCHD) protein, temporally restricts the availability of extracellular hedgehog-related protein to establish the capacity of progenitor cells to maintain quiescence. We found that neural progenitor cells exit from quiescence in ptr-18 mutant larvae even when hatched under starved conditions. This unwanted reactivation depended on the activity of a specific set of hedgehog-related grl genes including grl-7. Unexpectedly, neither PTR-18 nor GRL-7 were expressed in newly hatched wild-type larvae. Instead, at the late embryonic stage, both PTR-18 and GRL-7 proteins were first localized around the apical membrane of hypodermal and neural progenitor cells and subsequently targeted for lysosomal degradation before hatching. Loss of ptr-18 caused a significant delay in GRL-7 clearance, causing this protein to be retained in the extracellular space in newly hatched ptr-18 mutant larvae. Furthermore, the putative transporter activity of PTR-18 was shown to be required for the appropriate function of the protein. These findings not only uncover a previously undescribed role of PTR/PTCHD in the clearance of extracellular hedgehog-related proteins via endocytosis-mediated degradation but also illustrate that failure to temporally restrict intercellular signaling during embryogenesis can subsequently compromise post-embryonic progenitor cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohisa Chiyoda
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kume
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Kenji Kontani
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Anne Spang
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Toshiaki Katada
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Fukuyama
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Tsiairis C, Großhans H. Gene expression oscillations in C. elegans underlie a new developmental clock. Curr Top Dev Biol 2020; 144:19-43. [PMID: 33992153 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
During C. elegans larval development, thousands of genes, accounting for >20% of the transcriptome, exhibit oscillatory expression with large amplitudes. The time of peaking varies for different genes, but expression generally peaks once per larval stage, with both the oscillation period and larval stage duration varying in concert with temperature. This and other evidence support the existence of a gene expression oscillator that functions as a developmental clock. In this article, we review what is known about the biology, architecture and possible mechanisms of this clock. We compare it to other oscillators, and highlight tools and approaches suited to its study. Finally, we point out implications of these wide-spread and dynamic changes of gene expression on any type of gene expression profiling experiment in C. elegans larvae and how such experiments need to be controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charisios Tsiairis
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Helge Großhans
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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17
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Ragle JM, Aita AL, Morrison KN, Martinez-Mendez R, Saeger HN, Ashley GA, Johnson LC, Schubert KA, Shakes DC, Ward JD. The conserved molting/circadian rhythm regulator NHR-23/NR1F1 serves as an essential co-regulator of C. elegans spermatogenesis. Development 2020; 147:dev193862. [PMID: 33060131 PMCID: PMC7710015 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In sexually reproducing metazoans, spermatogenesis is the process by which uncommitted germ cells give rise to haploid sperm. Work in model systems has revealed mechanisms controlling commitment to the sperm fate, but how this fate is subsequently executed remains less clear. While studying the well-established role of the conserved nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor, NHR-23/NR1F1, in regulating C. elegans molting, we discovered that NHR-23/NR1F1 is also constitutively expressed in developing primary spermatocytes and is a critical regulator of spermatogenesis. In this novel role, NHR-23/NR1F1 functions downstream of the canonical sex-determination pathway. Degron-mediated depletion of NHR-23/NR1F1 within hermaphrodite or male germlines causes sterility due to an absence of functional sperm, as depleted animals produce arrested primary spermatocytes rather than haploid sperm. These spermatocytes arrest in prometaphase I and fail to either progress to anaphase or attempt spermatid-residual body partitioning. They make sperm-specific membranous organelles but fail to assemble their major sperm protein into fibrous bodies. NHR-23/NR1F1 appears to function independently of the known SPE-44 gene regulatory network, revealing the existence of an NHR-23/NR1F1-mediated module that regulates the spermatogenesis program.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Matthew Ragle
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Abigail L Aita
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
| | | | - Raquel Martinez-Mendez
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Hannah N Saeger
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Guinevere A Ashley
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Londen C Johnson
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Katherine A Schubert
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Diane C Shakes
- Department of Biology, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
| | - Jordan D Ward
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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18
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Pimentel-Acosta CA, Ramírez-Salcedo J, Morales-Serna FN, Fajer-Ávila EJ, Chávez-Sánchez C, Lara HH, García-Gasca A. Molecular Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Monogenean Parasites: Lessons from Caenorhabditis elegans. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165889. [PMID: 32824343 PMCID: PMC7460582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of action of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in monogenean parasites of the genus Cichlidogyrus were investigated through a microarray hybridization approach using genomic information from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The effects of two concentrations of AgNPs were explored, low (6 µg/L Ag) and high (36 µg/L Ag). Microarray analysis revealed that both concentrations of AgNPs activated similar biological processes, although by different mechanisms. Expression profiles included genes involved in detoxification, neurotoxicity, modulation of cell signaling, reproduction, embryonic development, and tegument organization as the main biological processes dysregulated by AgNPs. Two important processes (DNA damage and cell death) were mostly activated in parasites exposed to the lower concentration of AgNPs. To our knowledge, this is the first study providing information on the sub-cellular and molecular effects of exposure to AgNPs in metazoan parasites of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Citlalic A. Pimentel-Acosta
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82112, Mexico; (C.A.P.-A.); (F.N.M.-S.); (E.J.F.-Á.); (C.C.-S.)
| | - Jorge Ramírez-Salcedo
- Unidad de Microarreglos, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Francisco Neptalí Morales-Serna
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82112, Mexico; (C.A.P.-A.); (F.N.M.-S.); (E.J.F.-Á.); (C.C.-S.)
- CONACYT, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82112, Mexico
| | - Emma J. Fajer-Ávila
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82112, Mexico; (C.A.P.-A.); (F.N.M.-S.); (E.J.F.-Á.); (C.C.-S.)
| | - Cristina Chávez-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82112, Mexico; (C.A.P.-A.); (F.N.M.-S.); (E.J.F.-Á.); (C.C.-S.)
| | - Humberto H. Lara
- Department of Biology and South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
| | - Alejandra García-Gasca
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Unidad Mazatlán en Acuicultura y Manejo Ambiental, Mazatlán, Sinaloa 82112, Mexico; (C.A.P.-A.); (F.N.M.-S.); (E.J.F.-Á.); (C.C.-S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-66-9989-8700
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19
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Mesbahi H, Pho KB, Tench AJ, Leon Guerrero VL, MacNeil LT. Cuticle Collagen Expression Is Regulated in Response to Environmental Stimuli by the GATA Transcription Factor ELT-3 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2020; 215:483-495. [PMID: 32229533 PMCID: PMC7268988 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is protected from the environment by the cuticle, an extracellular collagen-based matrix that encloses the animal. Over 170 cuticular collagens are predicted in the C. elegans genome, but the role of each individual collagen is unclear. Stage-specific specialization of the cuticle explains the need for some collagens; however, the large number of collagens suggests that specialization of the cuticle may also occur in response to other environmental triggers. Missense mutations in many collagen genes can disrupt cuticle morphology, producing a helically twisted body causing the animal to move in a stereotypical pattern described as rolling. We find that environmental factors, including diet, early developmental arrest, and population density can differentially influence the penetrance of rolling in these mutants. These effects are in part due to changes in collagen gene expression that are mediated by the GATA family transcription factor ELT-3 We propose a model by which ELT-3 regulates collagen gene expression in response to environmental stimuli to promote the assembly of a cuticle specialized to a given environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiva Mesbahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Kim B Pho
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Andrea J Tench
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Victoria L Leon Guerrero
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Lesley T MacNeil
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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20
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Joseph BB, Wang Y, Edeen P, Lažetić V, Grant BD, Fay DS. Control of clathrin-mediated endocytosis by NIMA family kinases. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008633. [PMID: 32069276 PMCID: PMC7048319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocytosis, the process by which cells internalize plasma membrane and associated cargo, is regulated extensively by posttranslational modifications. Previous studies suggested the potential involvement of scores of protein kinases in endocytic control, of which only a few have been validated in vivo. Here we show that the conserved NIMA-related kinases NEKL-2/NEK8/9 and NEKL-3/NEK6/7 (the NEKLs) control clathrin-mediated endocytosis in C. elegans. Loss of NEKL-2 or NEKL-3 activities leads to penetrant larval molting defects and to the abnormal localization of trafficking markers in arrested larvae. Using an auxin-based degron system, we also find that depletion of NEKLs in adult-stage C. elegans leads to gross clathrin mislocalization and to a dramatic reduction in clathrin mobility at the apical membrane. Using a non-biased genetic screen to identify suppressors of nekl molting defects, we identified several components and regulators of AP2, the major clathrin adapter complex acting at the plasma membrane. Strikingly, reduced AP2 activity rescues both nekl mutant molting defects as well as associated trafficking phenotypes, whereas increased levels of active AP2 exacerbate nekl defects. Moreover, in a unique example of mutual suppression, NEKL inhibition alleviates defects associated with reduced AP2 activity, attesting to the tight link between NEKL and AP2 functions. We also show that NEKLs are required for the clustering and internalization of membrane cargo required for molting. Notably, we find that human NEKs can rescue molting and trafficking defects in nekl mutant worms, suggesting that the control of intracellular trafficking is an evolutionarily conserved function of NEK family kinases. In order to function properly, cells must continually import materials from the outside. This process, termed endocytosis, is necessary for the uptake of nutrients and for interpreting signals coming from the external environment or from within the body. These signals are critical during animal development but also affect many types of cell behaviors throughout life. In our current work, we show that several highly conserved proteins in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, NEKL-2 and NEKL-3, regulate endocytosis. The human counterparts of NEKL-2 and NEKL-3 have been implicated in cardiovascular and renal diseases as well as many types of cancers. However, their specific functions within cells is incompletely understood and very little is known about their role in endocytosis or how this role might impact disease processes. Here we use several complementary approaches to characterize the specific functions of C. elegans NEKL-2 and NEKL-3 in endocytosis and show that their human counterparts likely have very similar functions. This work paves the way to a better understanding of fundamental biological processes and to determining the cellular functions of proteins connected to human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braveen B. Joseph
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Phil Edeen
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Vladimir Lažetić
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Barth D. Grant
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - David S. Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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21
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Rashid S, Pho KB, Mesbahi H, MacNeil LT. Nutrient Sensing and Response Drive Developmental Progression in Caenorhabditis elegans. Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900194. [PMID: 32003906 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In response to nutrient limitation, many animals, including Caenorhabditis elegans, slow or arrest their development. This process requires mechanisms that sense essential nutrients and induce appropriate responses. When faced with nutrient limitation, C. elegans can induce both short and long-term survival strategies, including larval arrest, decreased developmental rate, and dauer formation. To select the most advantageous strategy, information from many different sensors must be integrated into signaling pathways, including target of rapamycin (TOR) and insulin, that regulate developmental progression. Here, how nutrient information is sensed and integrated into developmental decisions that determine developmental rate and progression in C. elegans is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabih Rashid
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kim B Pho
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hiva Mesbahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lesley T MacNeil
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada.,Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada.,Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, L8S 4K1, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Ren HN, Liu RD, Song YY, Zhuo TX, Guo KX, Zhang Y, Jiang P, Wang ZQ, Cui J. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis of molting-related proteins of Trichinella spiralis intestinal infective larvae. Vet Res 2019; 50:70. [PMID: 31547875 PMCID: PMC6757440 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0689-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Molting is a key step for body-size expansion and environmental adaptation of parasitic nematodes, and it is extremely important for Trichinella spiralis growth and development, but the molting mechanism is not fully understood. In this work, label-free LC-MS/MS was used to determine the proteome differences between T. spiralis muscle larvae (ML) at the encapsulated stage and intestinal infective larvae (IIL) at the molting stage. The results showed that a total of 2885 T. spiralis proteins were identified, 323 of which were differentially expressed. These proteins were involved in cuticle structural elements, regulation of cuticle synthesis, remodeling and degradation, and hormonal regulation of molting. These differential proteins were also involved in diverse intracellular pathways, such as fatty acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, and mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis. qPCR results showed that five T. spiralis genes (cuticle collagen 14, putative DOMON domain-containing protein, glutamine synthetase, cathepsin F and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase) had significantly higher transcriptional levels in 10 h IIL than ML (P < 0.05), which were similar to their protein expression levels, suggesting that they might be T. spiralis molting-related genes. Identification and characterization of T. spiralis molting-related proteins will be helpful for developing vaccines and new drugs against the early enteral stage of T. spiralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Nan Ren
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Ruo Dan Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yan Yan Song
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Tong Xu Zhuo
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Kai Xia Guo
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Zhong Quan Wang
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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23
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Defoort J, Van de Peer Y, Vermeirssen V. Function, dynamics and evolution of network motif modules in integrated gene regulatory networks of worm and plant. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:6480-6503. [PMID: 29873777 PMCID: PMC6061849 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) consist of different molecular interactions that closely work together to establish proper gene expression in time and space. Especially in higher eukaryotes, many questions remain on how these interactions collectively coordinate gene regulation. We study high quality GRNs consisting of undirected protein–protein, genetic and homologous interactions, and directed protein–DNA, regulatory and miRNA–mRNA interactions in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans and the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our data-integration framework integrates interactions in composite network motifs, clusters these in biologically relevant, higher-order topological network motif modules, overlays these with gene expression profiles and discovers novel connections between modules and regulators. Similar modules exist in the integrated GRNs of worm and plant. We show how experimental or computational methodologies underlying a certain data type impact network topology. Through phylogenetic decomposition, we found that proteins of worm and plant tend to functionally interact with proteins of a similar age, while at the regulatory level TFs favor same age, but also older target genes. Despite some influence of the duplication mode difference, we also observe at the motif and module level for both species a preference for age homogeneity for undirected and age heterogeneity for directed interactions. This leads to a model where novel genes are added together to the GRNs in a specific biological functional context, regulated by one or more TFs that also target older genes in the GRNs. Overall, we detected topological, functional and evolutionary properties of GRNs that are potentially universal in all species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Defoort
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yves Van de Peer
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Vanessa Vermeirssen
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.,Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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24
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Xiaoliang Hou, Sun J, Wang Y, Jiang X. Identification of Specific Genes and Pathways by a Comparative Transcriptomic Study of Hypodermal and Body Muscle Development. Russ J Dev Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s106236041903007x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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25
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Vera-Cruz A, Amon S, Rashid S, MacNeil L. wrt-2 expression oscillates during larval development. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2018; 2018. [PMID: 32550385 PMCID: PMC7282508 DOI: 10.17912/4bw7-ep56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vera-Cruz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Siavash Amon
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sabih Rashid
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lesley MacNeil
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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26
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Blazie SM, Geissel HC, Wilky H, Joshi R, Newbern J, Mangone M. Alternative Polyadenylation Directs Tissue-Specific miRNA Targeting in Caenorhabditis elegans Somatic Tissues. Genetics 2017; 206:757-774. [PMID: 28348061 PMCID: PMC5499184 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.196774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA expression dynamics promote and maintain the identity of somatic tissues in living organisms; however, their impact in post-transcriptional gene regulation in these processes is not fully understood. Here, we applied the PAT-Seq approach to systematically isolate, sequence, and map tissue-specific mRNA from five highly studied Caenorhabditis elegans somatic tissues: GABAergic and NMDA neurons, arcade and intestinal valve cells, seam cells, and hypodermal tissues, and studied their mRNA expression dynamics. The integration of these datasets with previously profiled transcriptomes of intestine, pharynx, and body muscle tissues, precisely assigns tissue-specific expression dynamics for 60% of all annotated C. elegans protein-coding genes, providing an important resource for the scientific community. The mapping of 15,956 unique high-quality tissue-specific polyA sites in all eight somatic tissues reveals extensive tissue-specific 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) isoform switching through alternative polyadenylation (APA) . Almost all ubiquitously transcribed genes use APA and harbor miRNA targets in their 3'UTRs, which are commonly lost in a tissue-specific manner, suggesting widespread usage of post-transcriptional gene regulation modulated through APA to fine tune tissue-specific protein expression. Within this pool, the human disease gene C. elegans orthologs rack-1 and tct-1 use APA to switch to shorter 3'UTR isoforms in order to evade miRNA regulation in the body muscle tissue, resulting in increased protein expression needed for proper body muscle function. Our results highlight a major positive regulatory role for APA, allowing genes to counteract miRNA regulation on a tissue-specific basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Blazie
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
| | - Heather C Geissel
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
| | - Henry Wilky
- Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
| | - Rajan Joshi
- College of Letters and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Biological Sciences and Informatics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
| | - Jason Newbern
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
- Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
| | - Marco Mangone
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
- Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
- Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
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27
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Lažetić V, Fay DS. Molting in C. elegans. WORM 2017; 6:e1330246. [PMID: 28702275 DOI: 10.1080/21624054.2017.1330246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Molting is an essential developmental process for the majority of animal species on Earth. During the molting process, which is a specialized form of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, the old apical ECM, or cuticle, is replaced with a new one. Many of the genes and pathways identified as important for molting in nematodes are highly conserved in vertebrates and include regulators and components of vesicular trafficking, steroid-hormone signaling, developmental timers, and hedgehog-like signaling. In this review, we discuss what is known about molting, with a focus on studies in Caenorhabditis elegans. We also describe the key structural elements of the cuticle that must be released, newly synthesized, or remodeled for proper molting to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Lažetić
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - David S Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
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28
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The Caenorhabditis elegans Excretory System: A Model for Tubulogenesis, Cell Fate Specification, and Plasticity. Genetics 2017; 203:35-63. [PMID: 27183565 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.189357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The excretory system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a superb model of tubular organogenesis involving a minimum of cells. The system consists of just three unicellular tubes (canal, duct, and pore), a secretory gland, and two associated neurons. Just as in more complex organs, cells of the excretory system must first adopt specific identities and then coordinate diverse processes to form tubes of appropriate topology, shape, connectivity, and physiological function. The unicellular topology of excretory tubes, their varied and sometimes complex shapes, and the dynamic reprogramming of cell identity and remodeling of tube connectivity that occur during larval development are particularly fascinating features of this organ. The physiological roles of the excretory system in osmoregulation and other aspects of the animal's life cycle are only beginning to be explored. The cellular mechanisms and molecular pathways used to build and shape excretory tubes appear similar to those used in both unicellular and multicellular tubes in more complex organs, such as the vertebrate vascular system and kidney, making this simple organ system a useful model for understanding disease processes.
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29
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Bodofsky S, Koitz F, Wightman B. CONSERVED AND EXAPTED FUNCTIONS OF NUCLEAR RECEPTORS IN ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR RESEARCH 2017; 4:101305. [PMID: 29333434 PMCID: PMC5761748 DOI: 10.11131/2017/101305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor gene family includes 18 members that are broadly conserved among multiple disparate animal phyla, indicating that they trace their evolutionary origins to the time at which animal life arose. Typical nuclear receptors contain two major domains: a DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal domain that may bind a lipophilic hormone. Many of these nuclear receptors play varied roles in animal development, including coordination of life cycle events and cellular differentiation. The well-studied genetic model systems of Drosophila, C. elegans, and mouse permit an evaluation of the extent to which nuclear receptor function in development is conserved or exapted (repurposed) over animal evolution. While there are some specific examples of conserved functions and pathways, there are many clear examples of exaptation. Overall, the evolutionary theme of exaptation appears to be favored over strict functional conservation. Despite strong conservation of DNA-binding domain sequences and activity, the nuclear receptors prove to be highly-flexible regulators of animal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shari Bodofsky
- Biology Department, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104
| | - Francine Koitz
- Biology Department, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104
| | - Bruce Wightman
- Biology Department, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104
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30
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Lažetić V, Fay DS. Conserved Ankyrin Repeat Proteins and Their NIMA Kinase Partners Regulate Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Intracellular Trafficking in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2017; 205:273-293. [PMID: 27799278 PMCID: PMC5223508 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.194464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Molting is an essential developmental process in nematodes during which the epidermal apical extracellular matrix, the cuticle, is remodeled to accommodate further growth. Using genetic approaches, we identified a requirement for three conserved ankyrin repeat-rich proteins, MLT-2/ANKS6, MLT-3/ANKS3, and MLT-4/INVS, in Caenorhabditis elegans molting. Loss of mlt function resulted in severe defects in the ability of larvae to shed old cuticle and led to developmental arrest. Genetic analyses demonstrated that MLT proteins functionally cooperate with the conserved NIMA kinase family members NEKL-2/NEK8 and NEKL-3/NEK6/NEK7 to promote cuticle shedding. MLT and NEKL proteins were specifically required within the hyp7 epidermal syncytium, and fluorescently tagged mlt and nekl alleles were expressed in puncta within this tissue. Expression studies further showed that NEKL-2-MLT-2-MLT-4 and NEKL-3-MLT-3 colocalize within largely distinct assemblies of apical foci. MLT-2 and MLT-4 were required for the normal accumulation of NEKL-2 at the hyp7-seam cell boundary, and loss of mlt-2 caused abnormal nuclear accumulation of NEKL-2 Correspondingly, MLT-3, which bound directly to NEKL-3, prevented NEKL-3 nuclear localization, supporting the model that MLT proteins may serve as molecular scaffolds for NEKL kinases. Our studies additionally showed that the NEKL-MLT network regulates early steps in clathrin-mediated endocytosis at the apical surface of hyp7, which may in part account for molting defects observed in nekl and mlt mutants. This study has thus identified a conserved NEKL-MLT protein network that regulates remodeling of the apical extracellular matrix and intracellular trafficking, functions that may be conserved across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Lažetić
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071
| | - David S Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071
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31
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Luck AN, Anderson KG, McClung CM, VerBerkmoes NC, Foster JM, Michalski ML, Slatko BE. Tissue-specific transcriptomics and proteomics of a filarial nematode and its Wolbachia endosymbiont. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:920. [PMID: 26559510 PMCID: PMC4642636 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Filarial nematodes cause debilitating human diseases. While treatable, recent evidence suggests drug resistance is developing, necessitating the development of novel targets and new treatment options. Although transcriptomic and proteomic studies around the nematode life cycle have greatly enhanced our knowledge, whole organism approaches have not provided spatial resolution of gene expression, which can be gained by examining individual tissues. Generally, due to their small size, tissue dissection of human-infecting filarial nematodes remains extremely challenging. However, canine heartworm disease is caused by a closely related and much larger filarial nematode, Dirofilaria immitis. As with many other filarial nematodes, D. immitis contains Wolbachia, an obligate bacterial endosymbiont present in the hypodermis and developing oocytes within the uterus. Here, we describe the first concurrent tissue-specific transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of a filarial nematode (D. immitis) and its Wolbachia (wDi) in order to better understand tissue functions and identify tissue-specific antigens that may be used for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Methods Adult D. immitis worms were dissected into female body wall (FBW), female uterus (FU), female intestine (FI), female head (FH), male body wall (MBW), male testis (MT), male intestine (MI), male head (MH) and 10.1186/s12864-015-2083-2 male spicule (MS) and used to prepare transcriptomic and proteomic libraries. Results Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of several D. immitis tissues identified many biological functions enriched within certain tissues. Hierarchical clustering of the D. immitis tissue transcriptomes, along with the recently published whole-worm adult male and female D. immitis transcriptomes, revealed that the whole-worm transcriptome is typically dominated by transcripts originating from reproductive tissue. The uterus appeared to have the most variable transcriptome, possibly due to age. Although many functions are shared between the reproductive tissues, the most significant differences in gene expression were observed between the uterus and testis. Interestingly, wDi gene expression in the male and female body wall is fairly similar, yet slightly different to that of Wolbachia gene expression in the uterus. Proteomic methods verified 32 % of the predicted D. immitis proteome, including over 700 hypothetical proteins of D. immitis. Of note, hypothetical proteins were among some of the most abundant Wolbachia proteins identified, which may fulfill some important yet still uncharacterized biological function. Conclusions The spatial resolution gained from this parallel transcriptomic and proteomic analysis adds to our understanding of filarial biology and serves as a resource with which to develop future therapeutic strategies against filarial nematodes and their Wolbachia endosymbionts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2083-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Luck
- Genome Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Kathryn G Anderson
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, USA
| | - Colleen M McClung
- Chemical Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Nathan C VerBerkmoes
- Chemical Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Jeremy M Foster
- Genome Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Michelle L Michalski
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, USA
| | - Barton E Slatko
- Genome Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA.
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MacNeil LT, Pons C, Arda HE, Giese GE, Myers CL, Walhout AJM. Transcription Factor Activity Mapping of a Tissue-Specific in vivo Gene Regulatory Network. Cell Syst 2015; 1:152-162. [PMID: 26430702 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A wealth of physical interaction data between transcription factors (TFs) and DNA has been generated, but these interactions often do not have apparent regulatory consequences. Thus, equating physical interaction data with gene regulatory networks (GRNs) is problematic. Here, we comprehensively assay TF activity, rather than binding, to construct a network of gene regulatory interactions in the C. elegans intestine. By manually observing the in vivo tissue-specific knockdown of 921 TFs on a panel of 19 fluorescent transcriptional reporters, we identified a GRN of 411 interactions between 19 promoters and 177 TFs. This GRN shows only modest overlap with physical interactions, indicating that many regulatory interactions are indirect. We applied nested effects modeling to uncover information flow between TFs in the intestine that converges on a small set of physical TF-promoter interactions. We found numerous cell nonautonomous regulatory interactions, illustrating tissue-to-tissue communication. Altogether, our study illuminates the complexity of gene regulation in the context of a living animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley T MacNeil
- Program in Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA ; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Carles Pons
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - H Efsun Arda
- Program in Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA ; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gabrielle E Giese
- Program in Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Chad L Myers
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Albertha J M Walhout
- Program in Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA ; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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George-Raizen JB, Shockley KR, Trojanowski NF, Lamb AL, Raizen DM. Dynamically-expressed prion-like proteins form a cuticle in the pharynx of Caenorhabditis elegans. Biol Open 2014; 3:1139-49. [PMID: 25361578 PMCID: PMC4232772 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20147500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In molting animals, a cuticular extracellular matrix forms the first barrier to infection and other environmental insults. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans there are two types of cuticle: a well-studied collagenous cuticle lines the body, and a poorly-understood chitinous cuticle lines the pharynx. In the posterior end of the pharynx is the grinder, a tooth-like cuticular specialization that crushes food prior to transport to the intestine for digestion. We here show that the grinder increases in size only during the molt. To gain molecular insight into the structure of the grinder and pharyngeal cuticle, we performed a microarray analysis to identify mRNAs increased during the molt. We found strong transcriptional induction during the molt of 12 of 15 previously identified abu genes encoding Prion-like (P) glutamine (Q) and asparagine (N) rich PQN proteins, as well as 15 additional genes encoding closely related PQN proteins. abu/pqn genes, which we name the abu/pqn paralog group (APPG) genes, were expressed in pharyngeal cells and the proteins encoded by two APPG genes we tested localized to the pharyngeal cuticle. Deleting the APPG gene abu-14 caused abnormal pharyngeal cuticular structures and knocking down other APPG genes resulted in abnormal cuticular function. We propose that APPG proteins promote the assembly and function of a unique cuticular structure. The strong developmental regulation of the APPG genes raises the possibility that such genes would be identified in transcriptional profiling experiments in which the animals' developmental stage is not precisely staged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia B George-Raizen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Keith R Shockley
- Biostatistics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Nicholas F Trojanowski
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Annesia L Lamb
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Present address: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - David M Raizen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Nuclear receptors in nematode development: Natural experiments made by a phylum. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2014; 1849:224-37. [PMID: 24984201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2014.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 06/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of complex multicellular organisms is dependent on regulatory decisions that are necessary for the establishment of specific differentiation and metabolic cellular states. Nuclear receptors (NRs) form a large family of transcription factors that play critical roles in the regulation of development and metabolism of Metazoa. Based on their DNA binding and ligand binding domains, NRs are divided into eight NR subfamilies from which representatives of six subfamilies are present in both deuterostomes and protostomes indicating their early evolutionary origin. In some nematode species, especially in Caenorhabditis, the family of NRs expanded to a large number of genes strikingly exceeding the number of NR genes in vertebrates or insects. Nematode NRs, including the multiplied Caenorhabditis genes, show clear relation to vertebrate and insect homologues belonging to six of the eight main NR subfamilies. This review summarizes advances in research of nematode NRs and their developmental functions. Nematode NRs can reveal evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that regulate specific developmental and metabolic processes as well as new regulatory adaptations. They represent the results of a large number of natural experiments with structural and functional potential of NRs for the evolution of the phylum. The conserved and divergent character of nematode NRs adds a new dimension to our understanding of the general biology of regulation by NRs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear receptors in animal development.
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35
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Monsalve GC, Frand AR. Toward a unified model of developmental timing: A "molting" approach. WORM 2013; 1:221-30. [PMID: 24058853 PMCID: PMC3670223 DOI: 10.4161/worm.20874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Animal development requires temporal coordination between recurrent processes and sequential events, but the underlying timing mechanisms are not yet understood. The molting cycle of C. elegans provides an ideal system to study this basic problem. We recently characterized LIN-42, which is related to the circadian clock protein PERIOD, as a key component of the developmental timer underlying rhythmic molting cycles. In this context, LIN-42 coordinates epithelial stem cell dynamics with progression of the molting cycle. Repeated actions of LIN-42 may enable the reprogramming of seam cell temporal fates, while stage-specific actions of LIN-42 and other heterochronic genes select fates appropriate for upcoming, rather than passing, life stages. Here, we discuss the possible configuration of the molting timer, which may include interconnected positive and negative regulatory loops among lin-42, conserved nuclear hormone receptors such as NHR-23 and -25, and the let-7 family of microRNAs. Physiological and environmental conditions may modulate the activities of particular components of this molting timer. Finding that LIN-42 regulates both a sleep-like behavioral state and epidermal stem cell dynamics further supports the model of functional conservation between LIN-42 and mammalian PERIOD proteins. The molting timer may therefore represent a primitive form of a central biological clock and provide a general paradigm for the integration of rhythmic and developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela C Monsalve
- Department of Biological Chemistry; David Geffen School of Medicine; University of California; Los Angeles, CA USA
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MacNeil L, Watson E, Arda HE, Zhu LJ, Walhout AJ. Diet-induced developmental acceleration independent of TOR and insulin in C. elegans. Cell 2013; 153:240-52. [PMID: 23540701 PMCID: PMC3821073 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.02.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Dietary composition has major effects on physiology. Here, we show that developmental rate, reproduction, and lifespan are altered in C. elegans fed Comamonas DA1877 relative to those fed a standard E. coli OP50 diet. We identify a set of genes that change in expression in response to this diet and use the promoter of one of these (acdh-1) as a dietary sensor. Remarkably, the effects on transcription and development occur even when Comamonas DA1877 is diluted with another diet, suggesting that Comamonas DA1877 generates a signal that is sensed by the nematode. Surprisingly, the developmental effect is independent from TOR and insulin signaling. Rather, Comamonas DA1877 affects cyclic gene expression during molting, likely through the nuclear hormone receptor NHR-23. Altogether, our findings indicate that different bacteria elicit various responses via distinct mechanisms, which has implications for diseases such as obesity and the interactions between the human microbiome and intestinal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Watson
- Program in Systems Biology
- Program in Molecular Medicine
| | - H. Efsun Arda
- Program in Systems Biology
- Program in Molecular Medicine
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
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Chisholm AD, Xu S. The Caenorhabditis elegans epidermis as a model skin. II: differentiation and physiological roles. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2012; 1:879-902. [PMID: 23539358 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans epidermis forms one of the principal barrier epithelia of the animal. Differentiation of the epidermis begins in mid embryogenesis and involves apical-basal polarization of the cytoskeletal and secretory systems as well as cellular junction formation. Secretion of the external cuticle layers is one of the major developmental and physiological specializations of the epidermal epithelium. The four post-embryonic larval stages are separated by periodic moults, in which the epidermis generates a new cuticle with stage-specific characteristics. The differentiated epidermis also plays key roles in endocrine signaling, fat storage, and ionic homeostasis. The epidermis is intimately associated with the development and function of the nervous system, and may have glial-like roles in modulating neuronal function. The epidermis provides passive and active defenses against skin-penetrating pathogens and can repair small wounds. Finally, age-dependent deterioration of the epidermis is a prominent feature of aging and may affect organismal aging and lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Chisholm
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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