Stearoyl-CoA desaturases sustain cholinergic excitation and copulatory robustness in metabolically aging C. elegansmales

Bound phenolics extracts of jujube peel relieve cadmium-induced toxicity by reducing lipid accumulation of Caenorhabditis elegans

To investigate the effect of bound phenolics extracts (BPEs) of jujube peel on relieving cadmium (Cd)-induced toxicity and its mechanism, the behavioral deficits, lipid accumulation, and fatty acid synthesis-related gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans in Cd exposure group and BPEs improvement groups were determined and compared. The results showed that BPEs significantly improved Cd-induced behavioral deficits in C. elegans, and no significant differences could be found in low-dose (12.5 µg/mL) and high-dose (100 µg/mL) BPEs improvement groups. The treatment of BPEs effectively improved intestinal injury and lipofuscin and lipid accumulation. Especially, oil red O staining intensity in C. elegans treated with BPEs at 50 µg/mL was reduced by 12.60%. BPEs significantly controlled the increase in content of C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, and C18:2 induced by Cd by regulating the lipid accumulation in Escherichia coli OP50. Cd exposure induced lipid accumulation in C. elegans by upregulating oleic acid synthesis-related gene expression in E. coli OP50. Furthermore, BPEs treatment significantly downregulated the fatty acid synthesis-related gene expression in C. elegans and E. coli OP50. This research could reveal the mechanism of BPEs of jujube peel in relieving Cd-induced toxicity and provide a theoretical basis for the development of functional foods rich in polyphenols. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Jujube peel, a by-product of jujube processing, is usually discarded due to its coarse texture. However, jujube peel has been proven to possess abundant polyphenols, polysaccharides, and cyclic adenosine phosphate. In addition, in our previous research, bound phenolics extracts (BPEs) of jujube peel were found to perform better in lowering lipid accumulation than that of free phenolics extracts. This study further investigate the effect of BPEs of jujube peel on relieving Cd-induced toxicity and its mechanism on the base of our previous research. It could realize the comprehensive utilization of by-products of jujube processing.

O-GlcNAc transferase plays a non-catalytic role in C. elegans male fertility

Animal behavior is influenced by the competing drives to maintain energy and to reproduce. The balance between these evolutionary pressures and how nutrient signaling pathways intersect with mating remains unclear. The nutrient sensor O-GlcNAc transferase, which post-translationally modifies intracellular proteins with a single monosaccharide, is responsive to cellular nutrient status and regulates diverse biological processes. Though essential in most metazoans, O-GlcNAc transferase (ogt-1) is dispensable in Caenorhabditis elegans, allowing genetic analysis of its physiological roles. Compared to control, ogt-1 males had a four-fold reduction in mean offspring, with nearly two thirds producing zero progeny. Interestingly, we found that ogt-1 males transferred sperm less often, and virgin males had reduced sperm count. ogt-1 males were also less likely to engage in mate-searching and mate-response behaviors. Surprisingly, we found normal fertility for males with hypodermal expression of ogt-1 and for ogt-1 strains with catalytic-dead mutations. This suggests OGT-1 serves a non-catalytic function in the hypodermis impacting male fertility and mating behavior. This study builds upon research on the nutrient sensor O-GlcNAc transferase and demonstrates a role it plays in the interplay between the evolutionary drives for reproduction and survival.

Astaxanthin Induces Transcriptomic Responses Associated with Lifespan Extension in Caenorhabditis elegans

Astaxanthin is a marine xanthophyll carotenoid which effectively prevents intracellular oxidative stress and has beneficial effects against various human diseases. It has been shown that astaxanthin protects Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) from oxidative damages and extends the lifespan of C. elegans possibly by modulating genes involved in insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling (IIS) and the oxidoreductase system, although the exact mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, RNA sequencing analyses were employed to identify the differentially expressed genes in C. elegans in response to astaxanthin treatment. A total of 190 mRNAs and 6 microRNAs (miRNAs) were significantly changed by astaxanthin treatment in C. elegans. Gene ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that the mRNAs and miRNAs significantly altered by astaxanthin mainly function in innate immunity, lipid metabolism and stress responses, a significant portion of which are related to lifespan regulation in C. elegans. The study revealed novel mRNA and miRNA targets of astaxanthin, providing new insights for understanding the anti-aging mechanisms and the biological function of astaxanthin.