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Application of Caenorhabditis elegans in Lipid Metabolism Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021173. [PMID: 36674689 PMCID: PMC9860639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the development and prevalence of obesity have posed a serious public health risk, which has prompted studies on the regulation of adiposity. With the ease of genetic manipulation, the diversity of the methods for characterizing body fat levels, and the observability of feeding behavior, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is considered an excellent model for exploring energy homeostasis and the regulation of the cellular fat storage. In addition, the homology with mammals in the genes related to the lipid metabolism allows many aspects of lipid modulation by the regulators of the central nervous system to be conserved in this ideal model organism. In recent years, as the complex network of genes that maintain an energy balance has been gradually expanded and refined, the regulatory mechanisms of lipid storage have become clearer. Furthermore, the development of methods and devices to assess the lipid levels has become a powerful tool for studies in lipid droplet biology and the regulation of the nematode lipid metabolism. Herein, based on the rapid progress of C. elegans lipid metabolism-related studies, this review outlined the lipid metabolic processes, the major signaling pathways of fat storage regulation, and the primary experimental methods to assess the lipid content in nematodes. Therefore, this model system holds great promise for facilitating the understanding, management, and therapies of human obesity and other metabolism-related diseases.
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Dong C, Dolke F, Bandi S, Paetz C, von Reuß SH. Dimerization of conserved ascaroside building blocks generates species-specific male attractants in Caenorhabditis nematodes. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 18:5253-5263. [PMID: 32614033 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob00799d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Comparative ascaroside profiling of Caenorhabditis nematodes using HPLC-ESI-(-)-MS/MS precursor ion scanning revealed a class of highly species-specific ascaroside dimers. Their 2- and 4-isomeric, homo- and heterodimeric structures were identified using a combination of HPLC-ESI-(+)-HR-MS/MS spectrometry and high-resolution dqf-COSY NMR spectroscopy. Structure assignments were confirmed by total synthesis of representative examples. Functional characterization using holding assays indicated that males of Caenorhabditis remanei and Caenorhabditis nigoni are exclusively retained by their conspecific ascaroside dimers, demonstrating that dimerization of conserved monomeric building blocks represents a yet undescribed mechanism that generates species-specific signaling molecules in the Caenorhabditis genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfu Dong
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll Straße 8, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Dolke
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll Straße 8, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Siva Bandi
- Laboratory for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Avenue de Bellevaux 51, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
| | - Christian Paetz
- Research Group Biosynthesis/NMR, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll Straße 8, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Stephan H von Reuß
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll Straße 8, D-07745 Jena, Germany and Laboratory for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel, Avenue de Bellevaux 51, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
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3
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Salzer L, Witting M. Quo Vadis Caenorhabditis elegans Metabolomics-A Review of Current Methods and Applications to Explore Metabolism in the Nematode. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11050284. [PMID: 33947148 PMCID: PMC8146106 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11050284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics and lipidomics recently gained interest in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The fast development, easy cultivation and existing forward and reverse genetic tools make the small nematode an ideal organism for metabolic investigations in development, aging, different disease models, infection, or toxicology research. The conducted type of analysis is strongly depending on the biological question and requires different analytical approaches. Metabolomic analyses in C. elegans have been performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, direct infusion mass spectrometry (DI-MS), gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or combinations of them. In this review we provide general information on the employed techniques and their advantages and disadvantages in regard to C. elegans metabolomics. Additionally, we reviewed different fields of application, e.g., longevity, starvation, aging, development or metabolism of secondary metabolites such as ascarosides or maradolipids. We also summarised applied bioinformatic tools that recently have been used for the evaluation of metabolomics or lipidomics data from C. elegans. Lastly, we curated metabolites and lipids from the reviewed literature, enabling a prototypic collection which serves as basis for a future C. elegans specific metabolome database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesa Salzer
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
| | - Michael Witting
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Analytical Food Chemistry, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Bergame CP, Dong C, Sutour S, von Reuß SH. Epimerization of an Ascaroside-Type Glycolipid Downstream of the Canonical β-Oxidation Cycle in the Nematode Caenorhabditis nigoni. Org Lett 2019; 21:9889-9892. [PMID: 31809061 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b03808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A species-specific ascaroside-type glycolipid was identified in the nematode Caenorhabditis nigoni using HPLC-ESI-(-)-MS/MS precursor ion scanning, HR-MS/MS, and NMR techniques. Its structure containing an l-3,6-dideoxy-lyxo-hexose unit was established by total synthesis. The identification of this novel 4-epi-ascaroside (caenorhabdoside) in C. nigoni along with the previous identification of 2-epi-ascarosides (paratosides) in Pristionchus pacificus indicate that nematodes can generate highly specific signaling molecules by epimerization of the ascarylose building block downstream of the canonical β-oxidation cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia P Bergame
- Laboratory for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
| | - Chuanfu Dong
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knöll Straße 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany
| | - Sylvain Sutour
- Neuchâtel Platform for Analytical Chemistry (NPAC) , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
| | - Stephan H von Reuß
- Laboratory for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland.,Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knöll Straße 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany.,Neuchâtel Platform for Analytical Chemistry (NPAC) , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
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5
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Ascaroside Pheromones: Chemical Biology and Pleiotropic Neuronal Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163898. [PMID: 31405082 PMCID: PMC6719183 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/1970] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pheromones are neuronal signals that stimulate conspecific individuals to react to environmental stressors or stimuli. Research on the ascaroside (ascr) pheromones in Caenorhabditis elegans and other nematodes has made great progress since ascr#1 was first isolated and biochemically defined in 2005. In this review, we highlight the current research on the structural diversity, biosynthesis, and pleiotropic neuronal functions of ascr pheromones and their implications in animal physiology. Experimental evidence suggests that ascr biosynthesis starts with conjugation of ascarylose to very long-chain fatty acids that are then processed via peroxisomal β-oxidation to yield diverse ascr pheromones. We also discuss the concentration and stage-dependent pleiotropic neuronal functions of ascr pheromones. These functions include dauer induction, lifespan extension, repulsion, aggregation, mating, foraging and detoxification, among others. These roles are carried out in coordination with three G protein-coupled receptors that function as putative pheromone receptors: SRBC-64/66, SRG-36/37, and DAF-37/38. Pheromone sensing is transmitted in sensory neurons via DAF-16-regulated glutamatergic neurotransmitters. Neuronal peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation has important cell-autonomous functions in the regulation of neuroendocrine signaling, including neuroprotection. In the future, translation of our knowledge of nematode ascr pheromones to higher animals might be beneficial, as ascr#1 has some anti-inflammatory effects in mice. To this end, we propose the establishment of pheromics (pheromone omics) as a new subset of integrated disciplinary research area within chemical ecology for system-wide investigation of animal pheromones.
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6
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Dolke F, Dong C, Bandi S, Paetz C, Glauser G, von Reuß SH. Ascaroside Signaling in the Bacterivorous Nematode Caenorhabditis remanei Encodes the Growth Phase of Its Bacterial Food Source. Org Lett 2019; 21:5832-5837. [PMID: 31305087 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b01914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A novel class of species-specific modular ascarosides that integrate additional fatty acid building blocks was characterized in the nematode Caenorhabditis remanei using a combination of HPLC-ESI-(-)-MS/MS precursor ion scanning, microreactions, HR-MS/MS, MSn, and NMR techniques. The structure of the dominating component carrying a cyclopropyl fatty acid moiety was established by total synthesis. Biogenesis of this female-produced male attractant depends on cyclopropyl fatty acid synthase (cfa), which is expressed in bacteria upon entering their stationary phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Dolke
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knöll Straße 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany
| | - Chuanfu Dong
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knöll Straße 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany
| | - Siva Bandi
- Laboratory for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
| | - Christian Paetz
- Research Group Biosynthesis/NMR , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knöll Straße 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform for Analytical Chemistry (NPAC) , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
| | - Stephan H von Reuß
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knöll Straße 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany.,Laboratory for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland.,Neuchâtel Platform for Analytical Chemistry (NPAC) , University of Neuchâtel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
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7
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Butcher RA. Natural products as chemical tools to dissect complex biology in C. elegans. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 50:138-144. [PMID: 31102973 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The search for novel pheromones, hormones, and other types of natural products in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has accelerated over the last 10-15 years. Many of these natural products perturb fundamental processes such as developmental progression, metabolism, reproductive and somatic aging, and various behaviors and have thus become essential tools for probing these processes, which are difficult to study in higher organisms. Furthermore, given the similarity between C. elegans and parasitic nematodes, these natural products could potentially be used to manipulate the development and behavior of parasitic nematodes and target the infections caused by them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Butcher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States.
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Hänel V, Pendleton C, Witting M. The sphingolipidome of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Chem Phys Lipids 2019; 222:15-22. [PMID: 31028715 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids are important lipids and integral members of membranes, where they form small microdomains called lipid rafts. These rafts are enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids, which influences biophysical properties. Interestingly, the membranes of the biomedical model organism Caenorhabditis elegans contain only low amounts of cholesterol. Sphingolipids in C. elegans are based on an unusual C17iso branched sphingoid base. In order to analyze and the sphingolipidome of C. elegans in more detail, we performed fractionation of lipid extracts and depletion of glycero- and glycerophospholipids together with in-depth analysis using UPLC-UHR-ToF-MS. In total we were able to detect 82 different sphingolipids from different classes, including several isomeric species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Hänel
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85674 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Pendleton
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85674 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Witting
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85674 Neuherberg, Germany; Chair of Analytical Food Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85354 Freising, Germany.
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9
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Griffith CM, Morgan MA, Dinges MM, Mathon C, Larive CK. Metabolic Profiling of Chloroacetanilide Herbicides in Earthworm Coelomic Fluid Using 1H NMR and GC-MS. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:2611-2622. [PMID: 29939029 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Earthworms ( Eisenia fetida) are vital members of the soil environment. Because of their sensitivity to many contaminants, monitoring earthworm metabolism may be a useful indicator of environmental stressors. Here, metabolic profiles of exposure to five chloroacetanilide herbicides and one enantiomer (acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, racemic metolachlor, S-metolachlor, and propachlor) are observed in earthworm coelomic fluid using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multiblocked-orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (MB-OPLS-DA) and univariate analysis were used to identify metabolic perturbations in carnitine biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Intriguingly, stereospecific metabolic responses were observed between racemic metolachlor and S-metolachlor exposed worms. These findings support the utility of coelomic fluid in monitoring metabolic perturbations induced by chloroacetanilide herbicides in nontarget organisms and reveal specificity in the metabolic impacts of herbicide analogues in earthworms.
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Dong C, Reilly DK, Bergame C, Dolke F, Srinivasan J, von Reuss SH. Comparative Ascaroside Profiling of Caenorhabditis Exometabolomes Reveals Species-Specific (ω) and (ω - 2)-Hydroxylation Downstream of Peroxisomal β-Oxidation. J Org Chem 2018; 83:7109-7120. [PMID: 29480728 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.8b00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chemical communication in nematodes such as the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is modulated by a variety of glycosides based on the dideoxysugar l-ascarylose. Comparative ascaroside profiling of nematode exometabolome extracts using a GC-EIMS screen reveals that several basic components including ascr#1 (asc-C7), ascr#2 (asc-C6-MK), ascr#3 (asc-ΔC9), ascr#5 (asc-ωC3), and ascr#10 (asc-C9) are highly conserved among the Caenorhabditis. Three novel side chain hydroxylated ascaroside derivatives were exclusively detected in the distantly related C. nigoni and C. afra. Molecular structures of these species-specific putative signaling molecules were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by total synthesis and chemical correlations. Biological activities were evaluated using attraction assays. The identification of (ω)- and (ω - 2)-hydroxyacyl ascarosides demonstrates how GC-EIMS-based ascaroside profiling facilitates the detection of novel ascaroside components and exemplifies how species-specific hydroxylation of ascaroside aglycones downstream of peroxisomal β-oxidation increases the structural diversity of this highly conserved class of nematode signaling molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfu Dong
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knoell Strasse 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany.,Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology , Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology , Max-Planck-Ring 9 , D-72076 Tübingen , Germany
| | - Douglas K Reilly
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology , Worcester Polytechnic Institute , 60 Prescott Street , Worcester , Massachusetts 01605 , United States
| | - Célia Bergame
- Laboratory of Bioanalytical Chemistry , University of Neuchatel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
| | - Franziska Dolke
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knoell Strasse 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany
| | - Jagan Srinivasan
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology , Worcester Polytechnic Institute , 60 Prescott Street , Worcester , Massachusetts 01605 , United States
| | - Stephan H von Reuss
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology , Hans-Knoell Strasse 8 , D-07745 Jena , Germany.,Laboratory of Bioanalytical Chemistry , University of Neuchatel , Avenue de Bellevaux 51 , CH-2000 Neuchâtel , Switzerland
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11
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Artyukhin AB, Zhang YK, Akagi AE, Panda O, Sternberg PW, Schroeder FC. Metabolomic "Dark Matter" Dependent on Peroxisomal β-Oxidation in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:2841-2852. [PMID: 29401383 PMCID: PMC5890438 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b11811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Peroxisomal β-oxidation (pβo) is a highly conserved fat metabolism pathway involved in the biosynthesis of diverse signaling molecules in animals and plants. In Caenorhabditis elegans, pβo is required for the biosynthesis of the ascarosides, signaling molecules that control development, lifespan, and behavior in this model organism. Via comparative mass spectrometric analysis of pβo mutants and wildtype, we show that pβo in C. elegans and the satellite model P. pacificus contributes to life stage-specific biosynthesis of several hundred previously unknown metabolites. The pβo-dependent portion of the metabolome is unexpectedly diverse, e.g., intersecting with nucleoside and neurotransmitter metabolism. Cell type-specific restoration of pβo in pβo-defective mutants further revealed that pβo-dependent submetabolomes differ between tissues. These results suggest that interactions of fat, nucleoside, and other primary metabolism pathways can generate structural diversity reminiscent of that arising from combinatorial strategies in microbial natural product biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B. Artyukhin
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Ying K. Zhang
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Allison E. Akagi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Oishika Panda
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Paul W. Sternberg
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Frank C. Schroeder
- Boyce Thompson Institute and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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