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Sundaram MV, Pujol N. The Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle and precuticle: a model for studying dynamic apical extracellular matrices in vivo. Genetics 2024; 227:iyae072. [PMID: 38995735 PMCID: PMC11304992 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae072] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) coat the exposed surfaces of animal bodies to shape tissues, influence social interactions, and protect against pathogens and other environmental challenges. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, collagenous cuticle and zona pellucida protein-rich precuticle aECMs alternately coat external epithelia across the molt cycle and play many important roles in the worm's development, behavior, and physiology. Both these types of aECMs contain many matrix proteins related to those in vertebrates, as well as some that are nematode-specific. Extensive differences observed among tissues and life stages demonstrate that aECMs are a major feature of epithelial cell identity. In addition to forming discrete layers, some cuticle components assemble into complex substructures such as ridges, furrows, and nanoscale pillars. The epidermis and cuticle are mechanically linked, allowing the epidermis to sense cuticle damage and induce protective innate immune and stress responses. The C. elegans model, with its optical transparency, facilitates the study of aECM cell biology and structure/function relationships and all the myriad ways by which aECM can influence an organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera V Sundaram
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nathalie Pujol
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, CNRS, CIML, Turing Centre for Living Systems, 13009 Marseille, France
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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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Pooranachithra M, Jyo EM, Ernst AM, Chisholm AD. C. elegans epicuticlins define specific compartments in the apical extracellular matrix and function in wound repair. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575393. [PMID: 38260454 PMCID: PMC10802564 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The apical extracellular matrix (aECM) of external epithelia often contains lipid-rich outer layers that contribute to permeability barrier function. The external aECM of nematode is known as the cuticle and contains an external lipid-rich layer, the epicuticle. Epicuticlins are a family of tandem repeat proteins originally identified as components of the insoluble fraction of the cuticular aECM and thought to localize in or near epicuticle. However, there has been little in vivo analysis of epicuticlins. Here, we report the localization analysis of the three C. elegans epicuticlins (EPIC proteins) using fluorescent protein knock-ins to visualize endogenously expressed proteins, and further examine their in vivo function using genetic null mutants. By TIRF microscopy, we find that EPIC-1 and EPIC-2 localize to the surface of the cuticle in larval and adult stages in close proximity to the outer lipid layer. EPIC-1 and EPIC-2 also localize to interfacial cuticles and adult-specific cuticle struts. EPIC-3 expression is restricted to the stress-induced dauer stage, where it localizes to interfacial aECM in the buccal cavity. Strikingly, skin wounding in the adult induces epic-3 expression, and EPIC-3::mNG localizes to wound scars. Null mutants lacking one, two, or all three EPIC proteins display reduced survival after skin wounding yet are viable with low penetrance defects in epidermal morphogenesis. Our results suggest EPIC proteins define specific aECM compartments and have roles in wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murugesan Pooranachithra
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Erin M Jyo
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Andreas M Ernst
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Andrew D Chisholm
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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Niazi A, Kim JA, Kim DK, Lu D, Sterin I, Park J, Park S. Microvilli regulate the release modes of alpha-tectorin to organize the domain-specific matrix architecture of the tectorial membrane. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.04.574255. [PMID: 38260557 PMCID: PMC10802356 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.04.574255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The tectorial membrane (TM) is an apical extracellular matrix (ECM) in the cochlea essential for auditory transduction. The TM exhibits highly ordered domain-specific architecture. Alpha-tectorin/TECTA is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored ECM protein essential for TM organization. Here, we identified that TECTA is released by distinct modes: proteolytic shedding by TMPRSS2 and GPI-anchor-dependent release from the microvillus tip. In the medial/limbal domain, proteolytically shed TECTA forms dense fibers. In the lateral/body domain produced by the supporting cells displaying dense microvilli, the proteolytic shedding restricts TECTA to the microvillus tip and compartmentalizes the collagen-binding site. The tip-localized TECTA, in turn, is released in a GPI-anchor-dependent manner to form collagen-crosslinking fibers, required for maintaining the spacing and parallel organization of collagen fibrils. Overall, we showed that distinct release modes of TECTA determine the domain-specific organization pattern, and the microvillus coordinates the release modes along its membrane to organize the higher-order ECM architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Niazi
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Ju Ang Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Current affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kyu Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Current affiliation: Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Di Lu
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Igal Sterin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Joosang Park
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Sungjin Park
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Kamal M, Tokmakjian L, Knox J, Han D, Moshiri H, Magomedova L, Nguyen KCQ, Zheng H, Burns AR, Cooke B, Lacoste J, Yeo M, Hall DH, Cummins CL, Roy PJ. PGP-14 establishes a polar lipid permeability barrier within the C. elegans pharyngeal cuticle. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011008. [PMID: 37930961 PMCID: PMC10653525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The cuticles of ecdysozoan animals are barriers to material loss and xenobiotic insult. Key to this barrier is lipid content, the establishment of which is poorly understood. Here, we show that the p-glycoprotein PGP-14 functions coincidently with the sphingomyelin synthase SMS-5 to establish a polar lipid barrier within the pharyngeal cuticle of the nematode C. elegans. We show that PGP-14 and SMS-5 are coincidentally expressed in the epithelium that surrounds the anterior pharyngeal cuticle where PGP-14 localizes to the apical membrane. pgp-14 and sms-5 also peak in expression at the time of new cuticle synthesis. Loss of PGP-14 and SMS-5 dramatically reduces pharyngeal cuticle staining by Nile Red, a key marker of polar lipids, and coincidently alters the nematode's response to a wide-range of xenobiotics. We infer that PGP-14 exports polar lipids into the developing pharyngeal cuticle in an SMS-5-dependent manner to safeguard the nematode from environmental insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muntasir Kamal
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Levon Tokmakjian
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica Knox
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Duhyun Han
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Houtan Moshiri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lilia Magomedova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ken CQ Nguyen
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew R. Burns
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brittany Cooke
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica Lacoste
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - May Yeo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David H. Hall
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Carolyn L. Cummins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter J. Roy
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Njume FN, Razzauti A, Soler M, Perschin V, Fazeli G, Bourez A, Delporte C, Ghogomu SM, Poelvoorde P, Pichard S, Birck C, Poterszman A, Souopgui J, Van Antwerpen P, Stigloher C, Vanhamme L, Laurent P. A lipid transfer protein ensures nematode cuticular impermeability. iScience 2022; 25:105357. [PMID: 36339267 PMCID: PMC9626681 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cuticle of C. elegans is impermeable to chemicals, toxins, and pathogens. However, increased permeability is a desirable phenotype because it facilitates chemical uptake. Surface lipids contribute to the permeability barrier. Here, we identify the lipid transfer protein GMAP-1 as a critical element setting the permeability of the C. elegans cuticle. A gmap-1 deletion mutant increases cuticular permeability to sodium azide, levamisole, Hoechst, and DiI. Expressing GMAP-1 in the hypodermis or transiently in the adults is sufficient to rescue this gmap-1 permeability phenotype. GMAP-1 protein is secreted from the hypodermis to the aqueous fluid filling the space between collagen fibers of the cuticle. In vitro, GMAP-1 protein binds phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine while in vivo, GMAP-1 sets the surface lipid composition and organization. Altogether, our results suggest GMAP-1 secreted by hypodermis shuttles lipids to the surface to form the permeability barrier of C. elegans. GMAP-1 is secreted by the hypodermis toward the cuticle of Caenorhabditis elegans GMAP-1 binds and shuttle phosphoglycerides GMAP-1 sets the lipid composition of the cuticle While healthy, gmap-1 mutant displays high cuticular permeability
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Ngale Njume
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Institute for Neuroscience, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Adria Razzauti
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Institute for Neuroscience, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Miguel Soler
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Institute for Neuroscience, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Veronika Perschin
- Imaging Core Facility, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gholamreza Fazeli
- Imaging Core Facility, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Axelle Bourez
- RD3-Pharmacognosy, Bioanalysis and Drug Discovery and Analytical Platform of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universite libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Cedric Delporte
- RD3-Pharmacognosy, Bioanalysis and Drug Discovery and Analytical Platform of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universite libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Stephen M. Ghogomu
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Philippe Poelvoorde
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Simon Pichard
- Department of Integrated Structural Biology, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Catherine Birck
- Department of Integrated Structural Biology, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Arnaud Poterszman
- Department of Integrated Structural Biology, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jacob Souopgui
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Pierre Van Antwerpen
- RD3-Pharmacognosy, Bioanalysis and Drug Discovery and Analytical Platform of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universite libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | | | - Luc Vanhamme
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology and Molecular Medicine, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Patrick Laurent
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Institute for Neuroscience, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Corresponding author
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Lopes-Torres EJ, Girard-Dias W, de Souza W, Miranda K. On the structural organization of the bacillary band of Trichuris muris under cryopreparation protocols and three-dimensional electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2020; 212:107611. [PMID: 32890779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Whipworms of the genus Trichuris are nematode parasites that infect mammals and can lead to various intestinal diseases of human and veterinary interest. The most intimate interaction between the parasite and the host intestine occurs through the anterior region of the nematode body, inserted into the intestinal mucosa during infection. One of the most prominent structures of the nematode surface found at the infection site is the bacillary band, a surface domain formed by a number of cells, mostly stichocytes and bacillary glands, whose structure and function are still under debate. Here, we used confocal microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, helium ion microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and FIB-SEM tomography to unveil the functional role of the bacillary gland cell. We analyzed the surface organization as well as the intracellular milieu of the bacillary glands of Trichuris muris in high pressure frozen/freeze-substituted samples. Results showed that the secretory content is preserved in all gland openings, presenting a projected pattern. FIB-SEM analysis showed that the lamellar zone within the bacillary gland chamber is formed by a set of lacunar structures that may exhibit secretory or absorptive functions. In addition, incubation of parasites with the fluid phase endocytosis marker sulforhodamine B showed a time-dependent uptake by the parasite mouth, followed by perfusion through different tissues with ultimate secretion through the bacillary gland. Taken together, the results show that the bacillary gland possess structural characteristics of secretory and absorptive cells and unequivocally demonstrate that the bacillary gland cell functions as a secretory structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Lopes-Torres
- Laboratório de Helmintologia Romero Lascasas Porto, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Brazil.
| | - W Girard-Dias
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - W de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, s/n Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, CEP: 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - K Miranda
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, s/n Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, CEP: 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Adlimoghaddam A, O'Donnell MJ, Kormish J, Banh S, Treberg JR, Merz D, Weihrauch D. Ammonia excretion in Caenorhabditis elegans: Physiological and molecular characterization of the rhr-2 knock-out mutant. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2016; 195:46-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Adlimoghaddam A, Boeckstaens M, Marini AM, Treberg JR, Brassinga AKC, Weihrauch D. Ammonia excretion in Caenorhabditis elegans: mechanism and evidence of ammonia transport of the Rhesus protein CeRhr-1. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 218:675-83. [PMID: 25740900 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.111856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The soil-dwelling nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a bacteriovorous animal, excreting the vast majority of its nitrogenous waste as ammonia (25.3±1.2 µmol gFW(-1) day(-1)) and very little urea (0.21±0.004 µmol gFW(-1) day(-1)). Although these roundworms have been used for decades as genetic model systems, very little is known about their strategy to eliminate the toxic waste product ammonia from their bodies into the environment. The current study provides evidence that ammonia is at least partially excreted via the hypodermis. Starvation reduced the ammonia excretion rates by more than half, whereas mRNA expression levels of the Rhesus protein CeRhr-2, V-type H(+)-ATPase (subunit A) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (α-subunit) decreased correspondingly. Moreover, ammonia excretion rates were enhanced in media buffered to pH 5 and decreased at pH 9.5. Inhibitor experiments, combined with enzyme activity measurements and mRNA expression analyses, further suggested that the excretion mechanism involves the participation of the V-type H(+)-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, and a functional microtubule network. These findings indicate that ammonia is excreted, not only by apical ammonia trapping, but also via vesicular transport and exocytosis. Exposure to 1 mmol l(-1) NH4Cl caused a 10-fold increase in body ammonia and a tripling of ammonia excretion rates. Gene expression levels of CeRhr-1 and CeRhr-2, V-ATPase and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase also increased significantly in response to 1 mmol l(-1) NH4Cl. Importantly, a functional expression analysis showed, for the first time, ammonia transport capabilities for CeRhr-1 in a phylogenetically ancient invertebrate system, identifying these proteins as potential functional precursors to the vertebrate ammonia-transporting Rh-glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Adlimoghaddam
- Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T2N2
| | - Mélanie Boeckstaens
- Biology of Membrane Transport, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, Gosselies 6041, Belgium
| | - Anna-Maria Marini
- Biology of Membrane Transport, IBMM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, Gosselies 6041, Belgium
| | - Jason R Treberg
- Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T2N2 Faculty of Human Ecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T2N2
| | | | - Dirk Weihrauch
- Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T2N2
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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: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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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Kim TH, Kim YJ, Cho JW, Shim J. A novel zinc-carboxypeptidase SURO-1 regulates cuticle formation and body morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. FEBS Lett 2010; 585:121-7. [PMID: 21094156 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2010.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Revised: 11/10/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cuticle formation and molting are critical for the development of Caenorhabditis elegans. To understand cuticle formation more clearly, we screened for suppressors in transgenic worms that expressed dominant ROL-6 collagen proteins. The suro-1 mutant, which is mild dumpy, exhibited a different ROL-6::GFP localization pattern compared to other Dpy mutants. We identified mutations in three suro-1 mutants, and found that suro-1 (ORF R11A5.7) encodes a putative zinc-carboxypeptidase homologue. The expression of this enzyme in the hypodermis and the genetic interactions between this enzyme and other collagen-modifying enzyme mutants suggest a regulatory role in collagen processing and cuticle organization for this novel carboxypeptidase. These findings aid our understanding of cuticle formation during worm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai Hoon Kim
- Cancer Experimental Resources Branch, National Cancer Center, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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Ultrastructural analysis of Wuchereria bancrofti (Nematoda: Filarioidea) body wall. Micron 2010; 41:526-31. [PMID: 20236829 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2010.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2009] [Revised: 01/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Bancroftian filariasis constitutes the principal mosquito-borne nematode infection of humans and the surface of adult of Wuchereria bancrofti seems to be especially important in the intricate interplay between host and parasite. The study of the parasite's surface structure might help to understand the localization and function of various organelles. W. bancrofti adult worms were recovered from untreated patients during hydrocele repair surgery and studied by transmission electron microscopy. The body wall of adult parasite is composed of cuticle, hypodermis and muscular layer. Cuticle is the external layer and shows transverse cuticular striation. It is composed by an epicuticle, cortical layers, median layer, fibrous layers and basal layer. The epicuticle is the most external cuticular layer and appears as a single laminar electron-dense layer. The cortical external region is more electron-dense and granular in appearance than the inner cortical layer. Electron-dense structures, called bosses are randomly distributed filling the cuticular striation. The median layer is formed by an electron-dense and continuous thick line. The fibrous layer is subdivided in inner and external layers connected by projections. The basal layer includes a large quantity of membranous projections directed toward the hypodermis. The hypodermis is a syncytium where some cellular organelles are observed. The somatic musculature is meromyarian. The muscle fibers consist of contractile and non-contractile regions and the contractile region is composed of myofilaments separated by dense body. This is the first study of W. bancrofti adult worms obtained from untreated patients and studied by transmission electron microscopy.
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Abstract
Cyclotides are a large family of cyclic cystine knot-containing plant peptides that have anthelminthic activities against Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, two important gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. In this study, we investigated the interaction of the prototypic cyclotide kalata B1 with the external surface of H. contortus larvae and adult worms. We show that cyclotides do not need to be ingested by the worms to exert their toxic effects but that an interaction with the external surface alone is toxic. Evidence for this was the toxicity toward adult worms in the presence of a chemically induced pharyngeal ligature and toxicity of cyclotides toward nonfeeding larval life stages. Uptake of tritiated inulin in ligated adult worms was increased in the presence of cyclotide, suggesting that cyclotides increase the permeability of the external membranes of adult nematodes. Polyethylene glycols of various sizes showed protective effects on the nonfeeding larval life stage, as well as in hemolytic activity assays, suggesting that discrete pores are formed in the membrane surfaces by cyclotides and that these can be blocked by polyethylene glycols of appropriate size. This increased permeability is consistent with recently reported effects of cyclotides on membranes in which kalata B1 was demonstrated to form pores and cause leakage of vesicle/cellular contents. Our data, together with known size constraints on the movement of permeants across nematode cuticle layers, suggest that one action of the cyclotides involves an interaction with the lipid-rich epicuticle layer at the surface of the worm.
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McMahon L, Muriel JM, Roberts B, Quinn M, Johnstone IL. Two sets of interacting collagens form functionally distinct substructures within a Caenorhabditis elegans extracellular matrix. Mol Biol Cell 2003; 14:1366-78. [PMID: 12686594 PMCID: PMC153107 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e02-08-0479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2002] [Revised: 12/09/2002] [Accepted: 12/23/2002] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A ubiquitous feature of collagens is protein interaction, the trimerization of monomers to form a triple helix followed by higher order interactions during the formation of the mature extracellular matrix. The Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle is a complex extracellular matrix consisting predominantly of cuticle collagens, which are encoded by a family of approximately 154 genes. We identify two discrete interacting sets of collagens and show that they form functionally distinct matrix substructures. We show that mutation in or RNA-mediated interference of a gene encoding a collagen belonging to one interacting set affects the assembly of other members of that set, but not those belonging to the other set. During cuticle synthesis, the collagen genes are expressed in a distinct temporal series, which we hypothesize exists to facilitate partner finding and the formation of appropriate interactions between encoded collagens. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find for the two identified interacting sets that the individual members of each set are temporally coexpressed, whereas the two sets are expressed approximately 2 h apart during matrix synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura McMahon
- The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, The University of Glasgow, Anderson College, Glasgow G11 6NU, United Kingdom
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de Moraes Neto AHA, Lanfredi RM, Gadelha C, Cunha-e-Silva NL, Simão RA, Achete C, de Souza W. Further studies on the structural analysis of the cuticle of Litomosoides chagasfilhoi (Nematoda: Filarioidea). Parasitol Res 2003; 89:397-406. [PMID: 12632155 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-002-0783-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2002] [Accepted: 08/15/2002] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In order to obtain further information on the structural organization of the cuticle of nematodes, this structure was isolated from adult forms of the filariid Litomosoides chagasfilhoi. The purity of the fraction was determined by light and transmission electron microscopy, deep-etching, high resolution scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, immunocytochemistry, gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot. The epicuticle presented a rugous surface with parallel rows and several globular particles that could be involved in the absorption of nutrients and secretion of products. Analysis by SDS-PAGE of purified cuticles revealed five major polypeptides corresponding to 151, 41, 28, 13 and 11 kDa. A polyclonal antibody against a synthetic 18 amino-acid peptide that corresponds to the sequence of domain E of the Haemonchus contortus3A3 collagen gene recognized several protein bands on the Western blot of purified cuticle, and labeled all cuticular layers, as shown by immunocytochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H A de Moraes Neto
- Laboratório de Helmintologia Programa de Biologia Celular e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Peixoto CA, Alves LC, de Melo JV, de Souza W. Ultrastructural analyses of the Caenorhabditis elegans sqt-1(sc13) left roller mutant. J Parasitol 2000; 86:269-74. [PMID: 10780544 DOI: 10.1645/0022-3395(2000)086[0269:uaotce]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The sqt-1 gene is 1 of the several loci in Caenorhabditis elegans that primarily affects organismal morphology. Certain mutations in the sqt-1 gene can produce left roller animals, i.e., they rotate around their long axis and move in circular paths. We describe the morphological alterations seen in the cuticle of the left roller sqt-1(sc13). Deep-etched replica analyses showed that the fibrous layer is composed of a unique strand of parallel fibers, instead of the 2 meeting at an angle of 60 degrees as observed in the wild-type strain. In addition, honeycomb elements, fibers organized in a pentagonal fashion above the fibrous layer, completely fill the intermediate layer that is empty spaces in the wild type. These morphological alterations are likely to be involved in generating the helical twist of the sqt-1(sc13) left roller mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Peixoto
- Departamento de Patologia e Biologia Celular, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Brazil
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Abstract
Collagen is a structural protein used in the generation of a wide variety of animal extracellular matrices. The exoskeleton of the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, is a complex collagen matrix that is tractable to genetic research. Mutations in individual cuticle collagen genes can cause exoskeletal defects that alter the shape of the animal. The complete sequence of the C. elegans genome indicates upwards of 150 distinct collagen genes that probably contribute to this structure. During the synthesis of this matrix, individual collagen genes are expressed in distinct temporal periods, which might facilitate the formation of specific interactions between distinct collagens.
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Affiliation(s)
- I L Johnstone
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Anderson College, University of Glasgow, UK.
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Martinez AM, De Souza W. A freeze-fracture and deep-etch study of the cuticle and hypodermis of infective larvae of Strongyloides venezuelensis (Nematoda). Int J Parasitol 1997; 27:289-97. [PMID: 9138031 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(96)00172-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The body walls of infective 3rd-stage larvae of S. venezuelensis were studied by routine transmission electron microscopy, ruthenium red cytochemistry, quick-freeze, freeze-fracture and deep-etch techniques. In routine thin sections the cuticle is formed by 5 layers: epicuticle, cortical, medial, fibrous and basal. The epicuticle showed a trilaminate appearance and a surface coat stained with ruthenium red. Specimens submitted to freeze-fracture were frequently sectioned along the body wall at the level of the hypodermis, showing the E and P fracture faces of the outer and inner hypodermal membranes. In replicas of fractures submitted to etching, the external surface of the nematode was exposed, revealing particles and fine strands of fibrous elements, and was sometimes covered by a well organized structure with a crystalline pattern. At the level of the cortical, medial and basal layers, interconnecting fibrous and globous structures were seen. The fibrous layer was formed by parallel bars of thick fibrous elements. The cytoskeleton of the hypodermis and muscle cells also became evident with this technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Martinez
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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