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Meng K, Shi YC, Li WX, Wang J, Cheng BJ, Li TL, Li H, Jiang N, Liu R. Testosterone Mediates Reproductive Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans by Affecting Sex Determination in Germ Cells through nhr-69/ mpk-1/ fog-1/ 3. TOXICS 2024; 12:502. [PMID: 39058154 PMCID: PMC11281075 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12070502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Testosterone (T), an environmental androgen, significantly disrupts endocrine systems in wildlife and ecosystems. Despite growing concern over its high levels in aquatic environments, the reproductive toxicity of testosterone and its mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the reproductive toxicity and mechanisms of testosterone using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and assessed its ecological toxicity through the benchmark dose (BMD) method. Our results indicate that T concentrations exceeding 0.01 μg/L significantly reduce the brood size, decrease germ cell counts, and prolong the generation time in C. elegans as T concentrations increase. Furthermore, to elucidate the specific mechanisms, we analyzed the expression of nhr-69, mpk-1, and other genes involved in sex determination. These findings suggest that the nhr-69-mediated reproductive toxicity of T primarily affects sperm formation and the offspring number by influencing its downstream targets, mpk-1 and fog-1/3, which are critical in the germ cell sex-determining pathway. Additionally, this study determined that the 10% lower boundary of the baseline dose (BMDL10) is 1.160 ng/L, offering a more protective reference dose for the ecological risk assessment of T. The present study suggests that nhr-69 mediates the reproductive toxicity of T by influencing mpk-1 and fog-1/3, critical genes at the end of the germ cell sex-determining pathway, thereby providing a basis for establishing reproductive toxicity thresholds for T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Meng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Ying-Chi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Wei-Xi Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Bei-Jing Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Tian-Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Nan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
- School of Biology and Food Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineer Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; (K.M.); (Y.-C.S.); (W.-X.L.); (J.W.); (B.-J.C.); (T.-L.L.); (H.L.)
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Sun WW, Yan XM, Shi Q, Zhang YJ, Huang JT, Huang HC, Shi HF, Yan BL. Downregulated RPS-30 in Angiostrongylus cantonensis L5 plays a defensive role against damage due to oxidative stress. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:617. [PMID: 33298148 PMCID: PMC7724845 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04495-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Eosinophilic meningitis, caused by fifth-stage larvae of the nematode (roundworm) Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is mainly attributed to the contribution of eosinophils to tissue inflammatory responses in helminthic infections. Eosinophils are associated with the killing of helminths via peroxidative oxidation and hydrogen peroxide generated by the dismutation of superoxide produced during respiratory bursts. In contrast, when residing in the host with high level of eosinophils, helminthic worms have evolved to attenuate eosinophil-mediated tissue inflammatory responses for their survival in the hosts. In a previous study we demonstrated that the expression of the A. cantonensis RPS 30 gene (Acan-rps-30) was significantly downregulated in A. cantonensis L5 roundworms residing in cerebrospinal fluid with a high level of eosinophils. Acan-RPS-30 is a protein homologous to the human Fau protein that plays a pro-apoptotic regulatory role and may function in protecting worms from oxidative stress. Methods The isolation and structural characterization of Acan-RPS-30 were performed using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), genome walking and bioinformatics. Quantitative real-time-PCR and microinjection were used to detect the expression patterns of Acan-rps-30. Feeding RNA interference (RNAi) was used to knockdown the apoptosis gene ced-3. Microinjection was performed to construct transgenic worms. An oxidative stress assay was used to determine the functions of Acan-RPS-30. Results Our results showed that Acan-RPS-30 consisted of 130 amino acids. It was grouped into clade V with C. elegans in the phylogenetic analysis. It was expressed ubiquitously in worms and was downregulated in both L5 larvae and adult A. cantonensis. Worms expressing pCe-rps30::Acan-rps-30::rfp, with the refractile “button-like” apoptotic corpses, were susceptible to oxidative stress. Apoptosis genes ced-3 and ced-4 were both upregulated in the transgenic worms. The phenotype susceptible to oxidative stress could be converted with a ced-3 defective mutation and RNAi. rps-30−/− mutant worms were resistant to oxidative stress, with ced-3 and ced-4 both downregulated. The oxidative stress-resistant phenotype could be rescued and inhibited by through the expression of pCe-rps30::Acan-rps-30::rfp in rps-3−/− mutant worms. Conclusion In C. elegans worms, downregulated RPS-30 plays a defensive role against damage due to oxidative stress, facilitating worm survival by regulating downregulated ced-3. This observation may indicate the mechanism by which A. cantonensis L5 worms, with downregulated Acan-RPS-30, survive in the central nervous system of humans from the immune response of eosinophils. Graphic abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wei Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xiu-Mei Yan
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing Shi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yuan-Jiao Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Jun-Ting Huang
- School of First Clinic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hui-Cong Huang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China.
| | - Hong-Fei Shi
- Henan Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Insects Bio-reactor, China-UK-NYNU-RRes Joint Laboratory of Insect Biology, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, PR China.
| | - Bao-Long Yan
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, PR China.
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Gauthier K, Rocheleau CE. C. elegans Vulva Induction: An In Vivo Model to Study Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling and Trafficking. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1652:43-61. [PMID: 28791633 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7219-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated activation of the canonical Ras/MAPK signaling cascade is responsible for cell proliferation and cell growth. This signaling pathway is frequently overactivated in epithelial cancers; therefore, studying regulation of this pathway is crucial not only for our fundamental understanding of cell biology but also for our ability to treat EGFR-related disease. Genetic model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans, a hermaphroditic nematode, played a vital role in identifying components of the EGFR/Ras/MAPK pathway and delineating their order of function, and continues to play a role in identifying novel regulators of the pathway. Polarized activation of LET-23, the C. elegans homolog of EGFR, is responsible for induction of the vulval cell fate; perturbations in this signaling pathway produce either a vulvaless or multivulva phenotype. The translucent cuticle of the nematode facilitates in vivo visualization of the receptor, revealing that localization of LET-23 EGFR is tightly regulated and linked to its function. In this chapter, we review the methods used to harness vulva development as a tool for studying EGFR signaling and trafficking in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley Gauthier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Christian E Rocheleau
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada.
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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Lant B, Derry WB. Analysis of apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2014; 2014:2014/5/pdb.top070458. [PMID: 24786497 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top070458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has provided researchers with a wealth of information on the molecular mechanisms controlling programmed cell death (apoptosis). Its genetic tractability, optical clarity, and relatively short lifespan are key advantages for rapid assessment of apoptosis in vivo. The use of forward and reverse genetics methodology, coupled with in vivo imaging, has provided deep insights into how a multicellular organism orchestrates the self-destruction of specific cells during development and in response to exogenous stresses. Strains of C. elegans carrying mutations in the core elements of the apoptotic pathway, or in tissue-specific regulators of apoptosis, can be used for genetic analyses to reveal conserved mechanisms by which apoptosis is regulated in the somatic and reproductive (germline) tissue. Here we present an introduction to the study of apoptosis in C. elegans, including current techniques for visualization, analysis, and screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lant
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
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