1
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Kalwa U, Park Y, Kimber MJ, Pandey S. An automated, high-resolution phenotypic assay for adult Brugia malayi and microfilaria. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13176. [PMID: 38849355 PMCID: PMC11161659 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62692-x] [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: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Brugia malayi are thread-like parasitic worms and one of the etiological agents of Lymphatic filariasis (LF). Existing anthelmintic drugs to treat LF are effective in reducing the larval microfilaria (mf) counts in human bloodstream but are less effective on adult parasites. To test potential drug candidates, we report a multi-parameter phenotypic assay based on tracking the motility of adult B. malayi and mf in vitro. For adult B. malayi, motility is characterized by the centroid velocity, path curvature, angular velocity, eccentricity, extent, and Euler Number. These parameters are evaluated in experiments with three anthelmintic drugs. For B. malayi mf, motility is extracted from the evolving body skeleton to yield positional data and bending angles at 74 key point. We achieved high-fidelity tracking of complex worm postures (self-occlusions, omega turns, body bending, and reversals) while providing a visual representation of pose estimates and behavioral attributes in both space and time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upender Kalwa
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Yunsoo Park
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Michael J Kimber
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Santosh Pandey
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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2
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Feng D, Qu L, Powell-Coffman JA. Transcriptome analyses describe the consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295093. [PMID: 38517909 PMCID: PMC10959373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295093] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Metazoan animals rely on oxygen for survival, but during normal development and homeostasis, animals are often challenged by hypoxia (low oxygen). In metazoans, many of the critical hypoxia responses are mediated by the evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). The stability and activity of HIF complexes are strictly regulated. In the model organism C. elegans, HIF-1 stability and activity are negatively regulated by VHL-1, EGL-9, RHY-1 and SWAN-1. Importantly, C. elegans mutants carrying strong loss-of-function mutations in these genes are viable, and this provides opportunities to interrogate the molecular consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation. We find that the genome-wide gene expression patterns are compellingly similar in these mutants, supporting models in which RHY-1, VHL-1 and EGL-9 function in common pathway(s) to regulate HIF-1 activity. These studies illuminate the diversified biological roles played by HIF-1, including metabolism and stress response. Genes regulated by persistent HIF-1 over-activation overlap with genes responsive to pathogens, and they overlap with genes regulated by DAF-16. As crucial stress regulators, HIF-1 and DAF-16 converge on key stress-responsive genes and function synergistically to enable hypoxia survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxia Feng
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Long Qu
- Department of Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jo Anne Powell-Coffman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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3
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Feng D, Qu L. Transcriptome analyses describe the consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation in Caenorhabditis elegans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.15.567311. [PMID: 38014086 PMCID: PMC10680707 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.15.567311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Metazoan animals rely on oxygen for survival, but during normal development and homeostasis, animals are often challenged by hypoxia (low oxygen). In metazoans, many of the critical hypoxia responses are mediated by the evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). The stability and activity of HIF complexes are strictly regulated. In the model organism C. elegans, HIF-1 stability and activity are negatively regulated by VHL-1, EGL-9, RHY-1 and SWAN-1. Importantly, C. elegans mutants carrying strong loss-of-function mutations in these genes are viable, and this provides opportunities to interrogate the molecular consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation. We find that the genome-wide gene expression patterns are compellingly similar in these mutants, supporting models in which RHY-1, SWAN-1 and EGL-9 function in common pathway(s) to regulate HIF-1 activity. These studies illuminate the diversified biological roles played by HIF-1, including metabolism, hypoxia and other stress responses, reproduction and development. Genes regulated by persistent HIF-1 over-activation overlap with genes responsive to pathogens, and they overlap with genes regulated by DAF-16. As crucial stress regulators, HIF-1 and DAF-16 converge on key stress-responsive genes and function synergistically to enable hypoxia survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxia Feng
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Long Qu
- Department of Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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4
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Feng D, Zhai Z, Shao Z, Zhang Y, Powell-Coffman JA. Crosstalk in oxygen homeostasis networks: SKN-1/NRF inhibits the HIF-1 hypoxia-inducible factor in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249103. [PMID: 34242227 PMCID: PMC8270126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, homeostasis, and disease, organisms must balance responses that allow adaptation to low oxygen (hypoxia) with those that protect cells from oxidative stress. The evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible factors are central to these processes, as they orchestrate transcriptional responses to oxygen deprivation. Here, we employ genetic strategies in C. elegans to identify stress-responsive genes and pathways that modulate the HIF-1 hypoxia-inducible factor and facilitate oxygen homeostasis. Through a genome-wide RNAi screen, we show that RNAi-mediated mitochondrial or proteasomal dysfunction increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP in C. elegans. Interestingly, only a subset of these effects requires hif-1. Of particular importance, we found that skn-1 RNAi increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP and elevates HIF-1 protein levels. The SKN-1/NRF transcription factor has been shown to promote oxidative stress resistance. We present evidence that the crosstalk between HIF-1 and SKN-1 is mediated by EGL-9, the prolyl hydroxylase that targets HIF-1 for oxygen-dependent degradation. Treatment that induces SKN-1, such as heat or gsk-3 RNAi, increases expression of a Pegl-9::GFP reporter, and this effect requires skn-1 function and a putative SKN-1 binding site in egl-9 regulatory sequences. Collectively, these data support a model in which SKN-1 promotes egl-9 transcription, thereby inhibiting HIF-1. We propose that this interaction enables animals to adapt quickly to changes in cellular oxygenation and to better survive accompanying oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxia Feng
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Zhiwei Zhai
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Zhiyong Shao
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jo Anne Powell-Coffman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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5
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Beeman AQ, Njus ZL, Pandey S, Tylka GL. The Effects of ILeVO and VOTiVO on Root Penetration and Behavior of the Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines. PLANT DISEASE 2019; 103:392-397. [PMID: 30657428 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-02-18-0222-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ILeVO (fluopyram) and VOTiVO (Bacillus firmus I-1582) seed treatments on Heterodera glycines second-stage juvenile (J2) root penetration and behavior. In a growth chamber experiment, roots of soybeans grown from treated or untreated seeds were inoculated with H. glycines J2s at soil depths of 2.5, 5, or 7.5 cm. ILeVO significantly reduced H. glycines root penetration compared with the untreated control, but only when J2s were inoculated at a soil depth of 2.5 cm, which was near the seed. Changes in nematode behavior were assessed by collecting 60-s videos of J2s after 2 h of exposure to exudates from treated seeds or radicles from treated seeds or from soil leachates in which treated seeds were planted. X- and y-coordinates of each of the 13 reference points were recorded every hour for 24 h. A custom program analyzed and transformed the coordinates into nematode motion parameters (speed and total change in curvature). ILeVO, but not VOTiVO, seed exudates significantly reduced J2 speed relative to the untreated control. Soil leachates from ILeVO or VOTiVO treatments had no consistent effect on H. glycines speed or total change in curvature compared with the untreated control. In another experiment, treated or untreated seeds were incubated in wells of 6-well tissue culture plates containing 11.5% Pluronic gel. Seeds were removed after 2 h, and approximately 50 J2s then were pipetted into each well. The plates were scanned every 60 min for 24 h, and the number of J2s in each well that moved a minimum distance of ≥300 µm was determined using another custom software program. ILeVO, but not VOTiVO, significantly reduced the movement of J2 populations relative to control wells in which no seeds were added. And wells that had seeds, treated or not, yielded significantly less J2 movement compared with the no-seed control. The results of these experiments indicate that ILeVO reduces activity on H. glycines J2s but may not affect nematodes beyond a limited area surrounding the treated seed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Q Beeman
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Zach L Njus
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Santosh Pandey
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Gregory L Tylka
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
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6
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Qu M, Xu K, Li Y, Wong G, Wang D. Using acs-22 mutant Caenorhabditis elegans to detect the toxicity of nanopolystyrene particles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 643:119-126. [PMID: 29936155 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we employed Caenorhabditis elegans with acs-22 mutation to examine the in vivo effect of functional deficit in intestinal barrier on toxicity and translocation of nanopolystyrene particles. Mutation of acs-22 leads to deficit in intestinal barrier. After prolonged exposure, nanopolystyrene particles at concentrations ≥1 μg/L could cause toxicity on acs-22 mutant nematodes. acs-22 mutation resulted in translocation of nanopolystyrene particles into targeted organs through intestinal barrier in nanopolystyrene particles (1 μg/L) exposed nematodes. After prolonged exposure, nanopolystyrene particles (1 μg/L) dysregulated expressions of some genes required for the control of oxidative stress and activated expression of Nrf signaling pathway. Therefore, under certain pathological conditions, our results suggest the potential toxicity of nanoplastic particles at predicted environmental concentration on organisms after long-term exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kangni Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yunhui Li
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Garry Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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7
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Njus Z, Kong T, Kalwa U, Legner C, Weinstein M, Flanigan S, Saldanha J, Pandey S. Flexible and disposable paper- and plastic-based gel micropads for nematode handling, imaging, and chemical testing. APL Bioeng 2017; 1:016102. [PMID: 31069282 PMCID: PMC6481691 DOI: 10.1063/1.5005829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, the area of point-of-care diagnostics is synonymous with paper microfluidics where cheap, disposable, and on-the-spot detection toolkits are being developed for a variety of chemical tests. In this work, we present a novel application of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) to study the behavior of a small model nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. We describe schemes of μPAD fabrication on paper and plastic substrates where membranes are created in agarose and Pluronic gel. Methods are demonstrated for loading, visualizing, and transferring single and multiple nematodes. Using an anthelmintic drug, levamisole, we show that chemical testing on C. elegans is easily performed because of the open device structure. A custom program is written to automatically recognize individual worms on the μPADs and extract locomotion parameters in real-time. The combination of μPADs and the nematode tracking program provides a relatively low-cost, simple-to-fabricate imaging and screening assay (compared to standard agarose plates or polymeric microfluidic devices) for non-microfluidic, nematode laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach Njus
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Taejoon Kong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Upender Kalwa
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Christopher Legner
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Matthew Weinstein
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Shawn Flanigan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Jenifer Saldanha
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Santosh Pandey
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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8
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Ding X, Njus Z, Kong T, Su W, Ho CM, Pandey S. Effective drug combination for Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes discovered by output-driven feedback system control technique. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:eaao1254. [PMID: 28983514 PMCID: PMC5627981 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aao1254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Infections from parasitic nematodes (or roundworms) contribute to a significant disease burden and productivity losses for humans and livestock. The limited number of anthelmintics (or antinematode drugs) available today to treat these infections are rapidly losing their efficacy as multidrug resistance in parasites becomes a global health challenge. We propose an engineering approach to discover an anthelmintic drug combination that is more potent at killing wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans worms than four individual drugs. In the experiment, freely swimming single worms are enclosed in microfluidic drug environments to assess the centroid velocity and track curvature of worm movements. After analyzing the behavioral data in every iteration, the feedback system control (FSC) scheme is used to predict new drug combinations to test. Through a differential evolutionary search, the winning drug combination is reached that produces minimal centroid velocity and high track curvature, while requiring each drug in less than their EC50 concentrations. The FSC approach is model-less and does not need any information on the drug pharmacology, signaling pathways, or animal biology. Toward combating multidrug resistance, the method presented here is applicable to the discovery of new potent combinations of available anthelmintics on C. elegans, parasitic nematodes, and other small model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianting Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zach Njus
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Taejoon Kong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Wenqiong Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chih-Ming Ho
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Santosh Pandey
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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9
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Fernández-Cárdenas LP, Villanueva-Chimal E, Salinas LS, José-Nuñez C, Tuena de Gómez Puyou M, Navarro RE. Caenorhabditis elegans ATPase inhibitor factor 1 (IF1) MAI-2 preserves the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and is important to induce germ cell apoptosis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181984. [PMID: 28829773 PMCID: PMC5568743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
When the electrochemical proton gradient is disrupted in the mitochondria, IF1 (Inhibitor Factor-1) inhibits the reverse hydrolytic activity of the F1Fo-ATP synthase, thereby allowing cells to conserve ATP at the expense of losing the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). The function of IF1 has been studied mainly in different cell lines, but these studies have generated contrasting results, which have not been helpful to understand the real role of this protein in a whole organism. In this work, we studied IF1 function in Caenorhabditis elegans to understand IF1´s role in vivo. C. elegans has two inhibitor proteins of the F1Fo-ATPase, MAI-1 and MAI-2. To determine their protein localization in C. elegans, we generated translational reporters and found that MAI-2 is expressed ubiquitously in the mitochondria; conversely, MAI-1 was found in the cytoplasm and nuclei of certain tissues. By CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated mai-2 mutant alleles. Here, we showed that mai-2 mutant animals have normal progeny, embryonic development and lifespan. Contrasting with the results previously obtained in cell lines, we found no evident defects in the mitochondrial network, dimer/monomer ATP synthase ratio, ATP concentration or respiration. Our results suggest that some of the roles previously attributed to IF1 in cell lines could not reflect the function of this protein in a whole organism and could be attributed to specific cell lines or methods used to silence, knockout or overexpress this protein. However, we did observe that animals lacking IF1 had an enhanced Δψm and lower physiological germ cell apoptosis. Importantly, we found that mai-2 mutant animals must be under stress to observe the role of IF1. Accordingly, we observed that mai-2 mutant animals were more sensitive to heat shock, oxidative stress and electron transport chain blockade. Furthermore, we observed that IF1 is important to induce germ cell apoptosis under certain types of stress. Here, we propose that MAI-2 might play a role in apoptosis by regulating Δψm. Additionally, we suggest that IF1 function is mainly observed under stress and that, under physiological conditions, this protein does not play an essential role.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. P. Fernández-Cárdenas
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - E. Villanueva-Chimal
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - L. S. Salinas
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - C. José-Nuñez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - M. Tuena de Gómez Puyou
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Estructural, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - R. E. Navarro
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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10
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Kong T, Flanigan S, Weinstein M, Kalwa U, Legner C, Pandey S. A fast, reconfigurable flow switch for paper microfluidics based on selective wetting of folded paper actuator strips. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:3621-3633. [PMID: 28945259 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00620a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In paper microfluidics, the development of smart and versatile switches is critical for the regulation of fluid flow across multiple channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taejoon Kong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
| | - Shawn Flanigan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
| | - Matthew Weinstein
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
| | - Upender Kalwa
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
| | - Christopher Legner
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
| | - Santosh Pandey
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Iowa State University
- Ames
- USA
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11
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Beeman AQ, Njus ZL, Pandey S, Tylka GL. Chip Technologies for Screening Chemical and Biological Agents Against Plant-Parasitic Nematodes. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2016; 106:1563-1571. [PMID: 27452899 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-06-16-0224-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes cause substantial damage to agricultural crops worldwide. Long-term management of these pests requires novel strategies to reduce infection of host plants. Disruption of nematode chemotaxis to root systems has been proposed as a potential management approach, and novel assays are needed to test the chemotactic behavior of nematodes against a wide range of synthetic chemicals and root exudates. Two microfluidic chips were developed that measure the attraction or repulsion of nematodes to chemicals ("chemical chip") and young plant roots ("root chip"). The chip designs allowed for chemical concentration gradients to be maintained up to 24 h, the nematodes to remain physically separate from the chemical reservoirs, and for images of nematode populations to be captured using either a microscope or a flatbed scanner. In the experiments using the chemical chips, seven ionic solutions were tested on second-stage juveniles (J2s) of Meloidogyne incognita and Heterodera glycines. Results were consistent with previous reports of repellency of M. incognita to a majority of the ionic solutions, including NH4NO3, KNO3, KCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2. H. glycines was found to be attracted to both NH4NO3 and KNO3, which has not been reported previously. A software program was written to aid in monitoring the location of nematodes at regular time intervals using the root chip. In experiments with the root chip, H. glycines J2s were attracted to roots of 3-day-old, susceptible (cultivar Williams 82) soybean seedlings, and attraction of H. glycines to susceptible soybean was similar across the length of the root. Attraction to resistant (cultivar Jack) soybean seedlings relative to the water only control was inconsistent across runs, and H. glycines J2s were not preferentially attracted to the roots of resistant or susceptible cultivars when both were placed on opposite sides of the same root chip. The chips developed allow for direct tests of plant-parasitic nematode chemotaxis to chemicals and roots with minimal human intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Q Beeman
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and second and third authors: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
| | - Zach L Njus
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and second and third authors: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
| | - Santosh Pandey
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and second and third authors: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
| | - Gregory L Tylka
- First and fourth authors: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, and second and third authors: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
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12
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Saldanha JN, Pandey S, Powell-Coffman JA. The effects of short-term hypergravity on Caenorhabditis elegans. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2016; 10:38-46. [PMID: 27662786 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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13
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Njus Z, Feldmann D, Brien R, Kong T, Kalwa U, Pandey S. Characterizing the Effect of Static Magnetic Fields on <i>C. elegans</i> Using Microfluidics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.4236/abb.2015.69061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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14
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Zhang B, Li Y, He Q, Qin J, Yu Y, Li X, Zhang L, Yao M, Liu J, Chen Z. Microfluidic platform integrated with worm-counting setup for assessing manganese toxicity. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2014; 8:054110. [PMID: 25538805 PMCID: PMC4222280 DOI: 10.1063/1.4896663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
We reported a new microfluidic system integrated with worm responders for evaluating the environmental manganese toxicity. The micro device consists of worm loading units, worm observing chambers, and a radial concentration gradient generator (CGG). Eight T-shape worm loading units of the micro device were used to load the exact number of worms into the corresponding eight chambers with the assistance of worm responders and doorsills. The worm responder, as a key component, was employed for performing automated worm-counting assay through electric impedance sensing. This label-free and non-invasive worm-counting technique was applied to the microsystem for the first time. In addition, the disk-shaped CGG can generate a range of stepwise concentrations of the appointed chemical automatically and simultaneously. Due to the scalable architecture of radial CGG, it has the potential to increase the throughput of the assay. Dopaminergic (DAergic) neurotoxicity of manganese on C. elegans was quantitatively assessed via the observation of green fluorescence protein-tagged DAergic neurons of the strain BZ555 on-chip. In addition, oxidative stress triggered by manganese was evaluated by the quantitative fluorescence intensity of the strain CL2166. By scoring the survival ratio and stroke frequency of worms, we characterized the dose- and time-dependent mobility defects of the manganese-exposed worms. Furthermore, we applied the microsystem to investigate the effect of natural antioxidants to protect manganese-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Yinbao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University , Ganzhou, JiangXi 341000, China
| | - Qidi He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Jun Qin
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non-traditional Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology , Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Yanyan Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Xinchun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University , Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Meicun Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Junshan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Precision and Non-traditional Machining Technology of Ministry of Education, Dalian University of Technology , Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
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15
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Eom HJ, Kim H, Kim BM, Chon TS, Choi J. Integrative assessment of benzene exposure to Caenorhabditis elegans using computational behavior and toxicogenomic analyses. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:8143-8151. [PMID: 24846693 DOI: 10.1021/es500608e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of benzene to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in an integrative manner, using computational behavior and toxicogenomics analyses, along with survival and reproduction. Benzene exposure led to changes in locomotive behavior and reproduction decline in C. elegans. Microarray followed by pathway analysis revealed that 228 genes were differentially expressed by benzene exposure, and cyp-35a2, pmk-1, and cep-1 were selected for further reproduction and multiparametric behavior analysis. Mutant analysis showed that benzene induced reproduction decline was rescued in cyp-35a2(gk317) mutant, whereas it was significantly exacerbated in pmk-1(km25) mutant, compared with the wildtype. The multiparametric behavior analysis on the mutants of selected genes revealed that each strain exhibits different response patterns, particularly, enhanced linear movement in the cyp-35a2(gk317) mutant, whereas the changes in partial body movement were observed in the pmk-1(km25) mutant by benzene exposure. A self-organizing map revealed that the pmk-1(km25) mutant group was the most densely clustered and located on the opposite side of the map of the cyp-35a2(gk317) mutant, each crossing that of the wildtype. Overall results suggest distinct roles of cyp-35a2 and pmk-1 genes in benzene-induced alterations in behavior and reproduction in C. elegans. This study also suggests computational behavior analysis is a suitable tool for addressing the integrative impact of chemical stress alongside with toxicogenomic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jeong Eom
- School of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Energy and Environmental System Engineering, University of Seoul , 163 Siripdaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-743, Korea
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16
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Bakhtina NA, Korvink JG. Microfluidic laboratories for C. elegans enhance fundamental studies in biology. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra43758b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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17
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Lycke R, Parashar A, Pandey S. Microfluidics-enabled method to identify modes of Caenorhabditis elegans paralysis in four anthelmintics. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2013; 7:64103. [PMID: 24396537 DOI: 10.1063/1.4829777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of new drugs is often propelled by the increasing resistance of parasites to existing drugs and the availability of better technology platforms. The area of microfluidics has provided devices for faster screening of compounds, controlled sampling/sorting of whole animals, and automated behavioral pattern recognition. In most microfluidic devices, drug effects on small animals (e.g., Caenorhabditis elegans) are quantified by an end-point, dose response curve representing a single parameter (such as worm velocity or stroke frequency). Here, we present a multi-parameter extraction method to characterize modes of paralysis in C. elegans over an extended time period. A microfluidic device with real-time imaging is used to expose C. elegans to four anthelmintic drugs (i.e., pyrantel, levamisole, tribendimidine, and methyridine). We quantified worm behavior with parameters such as curls per second, types of paralyzation, mode frequency, and number/duration of active/immobilization periods. Each drug was chosen at EC75 where 75% of the worm population is responsive to the drug. At equipotent concentrations, we observed differences in the manner with which worms paralyzed in drug environments. Our study highlights the need for assaying drug effects on small animal models with multiple parameters quantified at regular time points over an extended period to adequately capture the resistance and adaptability in chemical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Lycke
- Departments of Biological Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Archana Parashar
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Santosh Pandey
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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18
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Vozdek R, Hnízda A, Krijt J, Será L, Kožich V. Biochemical properties of nematode O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase paralogs imply their distinct roles in hydrogen sulfide homeostasis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:2691-701. [PMID: 24100226 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
O-Acetylserine(thiol)lyases (OAS-TLs) play a pivotal role in a sulfur assimilation pathway incorporating sulfide into amino acids in microorganisms and plants, however, these enzymes have not been found in the animal kingdom. Interestingly, the genome of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans contains three expressed genes predicted to encode OAS-TL orthologs (cysl-1-cysl-3), and a related pseudogene (cysl-4); these genes play different roles in resistance to hypoxia, hydrogen sulfide and cyanide. To get an insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms we purified the three recombinant worm OAS-TL proteins, and we determined their enzymatic activities, substrate binding affinities, quaternary structures and the conformations of their active site shapes. We show that the nematode OAS-TL orthologs can bind O-acetylserine and catalyze the canonical reaction although this ligand may more likely serve as a competitive inhibitor to natural substrates instead of being a substrate for sulfur assimilation. In addition, we propose that S-sulfocysteine may be a novel endogenous substrate for these proteins. However, we observed that the three OAS-TL proteins are conformationally different and exhibit distinct substrate specificity. Based on the available evidences we propose the following model: CYSL-1 interacts with EGL-9 and activates HIF-1 that upregulates expression of genes detoxifying sulfide and cyanide, the CYSL-2 acts as a cyanoalanine synthase in the cyanide detoxification pathway and simultaneously produces hydrogen sulfide, while the role of CYSL-3 remains unclear although it exhibits sulfhydrylase activity in vitro. All these data indicate that C. elegans OAS-TL paralogs have distinct cellular functions and may play different roles in maintaining hydrogen sulfide homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Vozdek
- Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, Prague 2, 128 08, Czech Republic
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