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King DE, Sparling AC, Joyce AS, Ryde IT, DeSouza B, Ferguson PL, Murphy SK, Meyer JN. Lack of detectable sex differences in the mitochondrial function of Caenorhabditis elegans. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:55. [PMID: 38664688 PMCID: PMC11046947 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02238-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: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences in mitochondrial function have been reported in multiple tissue and cell types. Additionally, sex-variable responses to stressors including environmental pollutants and drugs that cause mitochondrial toxicity have been observed. The mechanisms that establish these differences are thought to include hormonal modulation, epigenetic regulation, double dosing of X-linked genes, and the maternal inheritance of mtDNA. Understanding the drivers of sex differences in mitochondrial function and being able to model them in vitro is important for identifying toxic compounds with sex-variable effects. Additionally, understanding how sex differences in mitochondrial function compare across species may permit insight into the drivers of these differences, which is important for basic biology research. This study explored whether Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism commonly used to study stress biology and toxicology, exhibits sex differences in mitochondrial function and toxicant susceptibility. To assess sex differences in mitochondrial function, we utilized four male enriched populations (N2 wild-type male enriched, fog-2(q71), him-5(e1490), and him-8(e1498)). We performed whole worm respirometry and determined whole worm ATP levels and mtDNA copy number. To probe whether sex differences manifest only after stress and inform the growing use of C. elegans as a mitochondrial health and toxicologic model, we also assessed susceptibility to a classic mitochondrial toxicant, rotenone. RESULTS We detected few to no large differences in mitochondrial function between C. elegans sexes. Though we saw no sex differences in vulnerability to rotenone, we did observe sex differences in the uptake of this lipophilic compound, which may be of interest to those utilizing C. elegans as a model organism for toxicologic studies. Additionally, we observed altered non-mitochondrial respiration in two him strains, which may be of interest to other researchers utilizing these strains. CONCLUSIONS Basal mitochondrial parameters in male and hermaphrodite C. elegans are similar, at least at the whole-organism level, as is toxicity associated with a mitochondrial Complex I inhibitor, rotenone. Our data highlights the limitation of using C. elegans as a model to study sex-variable mitochondrial function and toxicological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon E King
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - A Clare Sparling
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Abigail S Joyce
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ian T Ryde
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Beverly DeSouza
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - P Lee Ferguson
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joel N Meyer
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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Roux AE, Yuan H, Podshivalova K, Hendrickson D, Kerr R, Kenyon C, Kelley D. Individual cell types in C. elegans age differently and activate distinct cell-protective responses. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112902. [PMID: 37531250 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a global decline in physiological function. However, by constructing a complete single-cell gene expression atlas, we find that Caenorhabditis elegans aging is not random in nature but instead is characterized by coordinated changes in functionally related metabolic, proteostasis, and stress-response genes in a cell-type-specific fashion, with downregulation of energy metabolism being the only nearly universal change. Similarly, the rates at which cells age differ significantly between cell types. In some cell types, aging is characterized by an increase in cell-to-cell variance, whereas in others, variance actually decreases. Remarkably, multiple resilience-enhancing transcription factors known to extend lifespan are activated across many cell types with age; we discovered new longevity candidates, such as GEI-3, among these. Together, our findings suggest that cells do not age passively but instead react strongly, and individualistically, to events that occur during aging. This atlas can be queried through a public interface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Han Yuan
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | | | - Rex Kerr
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Cynthia Kenyon
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - David Kelley
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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Pollo SMJ, Leon-Coria A, Liu H, Cruces-Gonzalez D, Finney CAM, Wasmuth JD. Transcriptional patterns of sexual dimorphism and in host developmental programs in the model parasitic nematode Heligmosomoides bakeri. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:171. [PMID: 37246221 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05785-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heligmosomoides bakeri (often mistaken for Heligmosomoides polygyrus) is a promising model for parasitic nematodes with the key advantage of being amenable to study and manipulation within a controlled laboratory environment. While draft genome sequences are available for this worm, which allow for comparative genomic analyses between nematodes, there is a notable lack of information on its gene expression. METHODS We generated biologically replicated RNA-seq datasets from samples taken throughout the parasitic life of H. bakeri. RNA from tissue-dwelling and lumen-dwelling worms, collected under a dissection microscope, was sequenced on an Illumina platform. RESULTS We find extensive transcriptional sexual dimorphism throughout the fourth larval and adult stages of this parasite and identify alternative splicing, glycosylation, and ubiquitination as particularly important processes for establishing and/or maintaining sex-specific gene expression in this species. We find sex-linked differences in transcription related to aging and oxidative and osmotic stress responses. We observe a starvation-like signature among transcripts whose expression is consistently upregulated in males, which may reflect a higher energy expenditure by male worms. We detect evidence of increased importance for anaerobic respiration among the adult worms, which coincides with the parasite's migration into the physiologically hypoxic environment of the intestinal lumen. Furthermore, we hypothesize that oxygen concentration may be an important driver of the worms encysting in the intestinal mucosa as larvae, which not only fully exposes the worms to their host's immune system but also shapes many of the interactions between the host and parasite. We find stage- and sex-specific variation in the expression of immunomodulatory genes and in anthelmintic targets. CONCLUSIONS We examine how different the male and female worms are at the molecular level and describe major developmental events that occur in the worm, which extend our understanding of the interactions between this parasite and its host. In addition to generating new hypotheses for follow-up experiments into the worm's behavior, physiology, and metabolism, our datasets enable future more in-depth comparisons between nematodes to better define the utility of H. bakeri as a model for parasitic nematodes in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M J Pollo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Aralia Leon-Coria
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Hongrui Liu
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David Cruces-Gonzalez
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Constance A M Finney
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - James D Wasmuth
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Host-Parasite Interactions Research Training Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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Ranjbar A, Satari M, Mohseni R, Tavilani A, Ghasemi H. Chlorella vulgaris ameliorates testicular toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in male rats via modulating oxidative stress. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14495. [PMID: 35671993 DOI: 10.1111/and.14495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Chlorella Vulgaris (CVE) (50 and 100 mg/kg doses) on sperm DNA fragmentation, testis oxidative stress in Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-exposed rats. Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 6): Control; CCl4; CVE; CCl4 + CVE50; CCl4 + CVE100. At the end of the experiment, the testicular oxidative stress parameters were estimated. The Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and Acridine orange (AO) staining were performed to examine the sperm DNA fragmentation status. CCl4 treatment showed a significant decrease in antioxidant markers and sperm count, viability, normal morphology and motility as well as significantly increased the testicular oxidative stress markers, and the percentage of CMA3 and AO positive sperms in normal rats (p < 0.05). While CVE supplementation has revealed a significant decrease in the percentage of CMA3 and AO positive sperms as well as testicular oxidative stress markers and considerably improved the testis antioxidant status (p < 0.05). CVE has also increased the number of sperms with forwarding movement, normal morphology and viability (p < 0.05). Taken together, our analyses suggest that CVE may play a critical role in attenuating the CCl4-induced oxidative stress in the testis, thereby protecting the sperm membrane and DNA against oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Ranjbar
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mahtab Satari
- Department Department of Midwifery, Hamadan university of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Roohollah Mohseni
- Department of Biochemistry, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | | | - Hadi Ghasemi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Zhou L, Ma X, Zhu N, Zou Q, Guo K, Bai L, Yu H, Hu J. The role of mab-3 in spermatogenesis and ontogenesis of pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:138-147. [PMID: 32652887 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is one of the most destructive invasive species, causing extensive economic losses worldwide. The sex ratio of female to male of B. xylophilus plays an important role in the nematode infestation. However, little is known about the processes of its sex determination. The double sex/mab-3-related family of transcription factors are highly conserved in animals, playing crucial roles in sex determination, spermatogenesis and ontogenesis. We therefore investigated its orthologue, Bxy-mab-3, in B. xylophilus. RESULTS Bxy-mab-3 has two typical conserved DNA-binding domains. It was observed in J2 (the second-stage of juveniles), J3, J4 and male adults (specifically on the spicules), but not in eggs or female adults via mRNA in situ hybridization. RNA-Seq indicated significantly higher expression in males. RNAi showed that the body size and sperm size of male adults were markedly smaller than those of the controls. Meanwhile, almost all the RNAi-treated males failed to mate with the normal females, even 26.34% of interfered males did not produce sperm. However, RNAi of Bxy-mab-3 had no effect on the sex ratio of B. xylophilus. CONCLUSION Bxy-mab-3 is indispensable for spermatogenesis, ontogenesis and mating behavior. It is a typical sex-determination gene with differential expression in males and females. However, knocking down Bxy-mab-3 expression could not alter the sex ratio as seen in other species. Our findings contribute towards a better understanding of the molecular events of Bxy-mab-3 in B. xylophilus, which provides promising hints for control of pine wilt disease by blocking ontogenesis and decreasing nematode fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinxin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Najie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingchi Zou
- Natural Forest Protection Center, Liaoning Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Shenyang, China
| | - Kai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liqun Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongshi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jiafu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Agricultural & Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
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Shao H, Wang D. Long-term and low-dose exposure to nanopolystyrene induces a protective strategy to maintain functional state of intestine barrier in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113649. [PMID: 31767235 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Functional state of intestinal barrier plays an important role for environmental animals in being against various toxicants. We investigated GATA transcriptional factor ELT-2-mediated intestinal response to nanopolystyrere in Caenorhabditis elegans. Prolonged exposure to nanopolystyrene (≥1 μg/L) induced an increase in expression of ELT-2, and intestinal RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of elt-2 caused enhancement in intestinal permeability. Meanwhile, mutation of elt-2 resulted in susceptibility to nanopolystyrene toxicity, and ELT-2 functioned in intestine to regulate the nanopolystyrene toxicity. ERM-1, CLEC-63, and CLEC-85 were identified as targets of ELT-2 in regulating the nanopolystyrene toxicity. ERM-1 was required for maintaining functional state in intestinal barrier, and functioned synergistically with CLEC-63 or CLEC-85 to regulate nanopolystyrene toxicity. Therefore, activation of intestinal ELT-2 by nanopolystyrere could mediate a protective strategy to maintain the functional state of intestinal barrier. During this process, intestinal ELT-2 activated two different molecular signals (ERM-1 signal and CLEC-63/85 signal) for nematodes against the nanopolystyrene toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Shao
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Du Q, Wen L, Zheng SC, Bi HL, Huang YP, Feng QL, Liu L. Identification and functional characterization of doublesex gene in the testis of Spodoptera litura. INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 26:1000-1010. [PMID: 29808584 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fusion of the testis occurs in most Lepidoptera insects, including Spodoptera litura, an important polyphagous pest. Testicular fusion in S. litura is advantageous for male reproduction, and the molecular mechanism of fusion remains unknown. Doublesex influences the formation of genitalia, the behavior of courtship, and sexually dimorphic traits in fruit-fly and silkworm, and is essential for sexual differentiation. However, its purpose in the testis of S. litura remains unknown. The doublesex gene of S. litura (Sldsx) has male-specific SldsxM and female-specific SldsxF isoforms, and exhibits a higher expression level in the male testis. At the testicular fusion stage (L6D6), Sldsx attained the highest expression compared to the pre-fusion and post-fusion periods. Moreover, Sldsx had a higher expression in the peritoneal sheaths of testis than that of germ cells in the follicle. CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Cas9) was applied to S. litura to determine the role of Sldsx. A mixture of single guide RNA messenger RNA and Cas9 protein (300 ng/μL each) was injected into eggs within 2 h following oviposition. CRISPR/Cas9 successfully induced genomic mutagenesis of Sldsx at G0 generation. The mutant males had smaller testis surrounded by less tracheae. Moreover, the mutant males had abnormal external genitalia and could not finish mating with wild-type females. Additionally, testes were fused for almost all mutant males. The results showed that Sldsx was not related to testicular fusion, and is required for both testis development and the formation and function of external genitalia in S. litura. The main roles of doublesex on the male are similar to other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Du
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Wen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Chun Zheng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Lun Bi
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Ping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi-Li Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Applied Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhao Y, Jin L, Wang Y, Kong Y, Wang D. Prolonged exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes dysregulates intestinal mir-35 and its direct target MAB-3 in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12144. [PMID: 31434956 PMCID: PMC6704117 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48646-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, some microRNAs (miRNAs) could be dysregulated by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), suggesting their involvement in regulating the response of nematodes to MWCNTs. Among these dysregulated miRNAs induced by MWCNT exposure, prolonged exposure to MWCNTs increased mir-35 expression. mir-35 further acted in the intestine to regulate the response to MWCNTs. In the intestine, a transcription factor MAB-3 was identified as its target in regulating the response to MWCNTs. Moreover, during the control of response to MWCNTs, MAB-3 acted upstream of DAF-16, a fork head transcriptional factor in insulin signaling pathway. Therefore, MWCNTs exposure potentially dysregulates intestinal mir-35 and its direct target MAB-3, which may activate a protective intestinal response of nematodes against the MWCNTs toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunli Zhao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, China.
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Ling Jin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, China
| | - Yan Kong
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Perez MF, Lehner B. Vitellogenins - Yolk Gene Function and Regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1067. [PMID: 31551797 PMCID: PMC6736625 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitellogenins are a family of yolk proteins that are by far the most abundant among oviparous animals. In the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the 6 vitellogenins are among the most highly expressed genes in the adult hermaphrodite intestine, which produces copious yolk to provision eggs. In this article we review what is known about the vitellogenin genes and proteins in C. elegans, in comparison with vitellogenins in other taxa. We argue that the primary purpose of abundant vitellogenesis in C. elegans is to support post-embryonic development and fertility, rather than embryogenesis, especially in harsh environments. Increasing vitellogenin provisioning underlies several post-embryonic phenotypic alterations associated with advancing maternal age, demonstrating that vitellogenins can act as an intergenerational signal mediating the influence of parental physiology on progeny. We also review what is known about vitellogenin regulation - how tissue-, sex- and stage-specificity of expression is achieved, how vitellogenins are regulated by major signaling pathways, how vitellogenin expression is affected by extra-intestinal tissues and how environmental experience affects vitellogenesis. Lastly, we speculate whether C. elegans vitellogenins may play other roles in worm physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Francisco Perez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ben Lehner
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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The roles of Dmrt (Double sex/Male-abnormal-3 Related Transcription factor) genes in sex determination and differentiation mechanisms: Ubiquity and diversity across the animal kingdom. C R Biol 2015; 338:451-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2015.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Miersch C, Döring F. Sex differences in carbohydrate metabolism are linked to gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44748. [PMID: 22984551 PMCID: PMC3439400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The male and the hermaphrodite forms of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) differ markedly in anatomy, nervous system and behavior at adulthood. Using the male mutants fog-2, him-5, and him-8, we compared body proportions and composition, and aspects of carbohydrate metabolism and gene expression between the C. elegans sexes in three adult stages. In all experiments, both sexes were grown on the same plate and separated using flow cytometry. The fat to fat-free mass ratio and the body volume-adjusted fat mass is similar between the sexes, although the body size is more than 50% smaller in adult males than in age-matched hermaphrodites. The volume-adjusted total RNA content is approximately 2-fold lower in males. Biochemical and NMR-based analyses reveal higher trehalose levels and much lower glucose levels in males than in hermaphrodites. The resulting trehalose-to-glucose ratio is 5.4-fold higher in males. These sex differences are reflected in gene expression data because the genes encoding key enzymes of the glycolysis and trehalose synthesis pathways are more highly expressed in males than in hermaphrodites. Notably, expression of the phosphofructokinase gene (C50F4.2) is 29-fold higher in males. Comparative analysis of gene expression data identifies 285 male-specific and 160 hermaphrodite-specific genes. These include transcription factor and C-type lectin-encoding genes. More than 35% of all C-type lectin genes are more highly expressed in males. The expression of many C-type lectin genes differs by a factor of >100 between the sexes. In conclusion, we found sex differences in carbohydrate metabolism that are linked to gene expression and identified certain lectin genes that are differentially expressed by the C. elegans sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Miersch
- Department of Molecular Prevention, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Frank Döring
- Department of Molecular Prevention, Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Romney SJ, Newman BS, Thacker C, Leibold EA. HIF-1 regulates iron homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans by activation and inhibition of genes involved in iron uptake and storage. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1002394. [PMID: 22194696 PMCID: PMC3240588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans ftn-1 and ftn-2, which encode the iron-storage protein ferritin, are transcriptionally inhibited during iron deficiency in intestine. Intestinal specific transcription is dependent on binding of ELT-2 to GATA binding sites in an iron-dependent enhancer (IDE) located in ftn-1 and ftn-2 promoters, but the mechanism for iron regulation is unknown. Here, we identify HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor -1) as a negative regulator of ferritin transcription. HIF-1 binds to hypoxia-response elements (HREs) in the IDE in vitro and in vivo. Depletion of hif-1 by RNA interference blocks transcriptional inhibition of ftn-1 and ftn-2 reporters, and ftn-1 and ftn-2 mRNAs are not regulated in a hif-1 null strain during iron deficiency. An IDE is also present in smf-3 encoding a protein homologous to mammalian divalent metal transporter-1. Unlike the ftn-1 IDE, the smf-3 IDE is required for HIF-1–dependent transcriptional activation of smf-3 during iron deficiency. We show that hif-1 null worms grown under iron limiting conditions are developmentally delayed and that depletion of FTN-1 and FTN-2 rescues this phenotype. These data show that HIF-1 regulates intestinal iron homeostasis during iron deficiency by activating and inhibiting genes involved in iron uptake and storage. Due to its presence in proteins involved in hemoglobin synthesis, DNA synthesis, and mitochondrial respiration, eukaryotic cells require iron for survival. Excess iron can lead to oxidative damage, while iron deficiency reduces cell growth and causes cell death. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis in humans caused by iron deficiency or excess leads to anemia, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. All organisms have thus developed mechanisms to sense, acquire, and store iron. We use Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to study mechanisms of iron regulation. Our previous studies show that the iron-storage protein ferritin (FTN-1, FTN-2) is transcriptionally inhibited in intestine during iron deficiency, but the mechanisms regulating iron regulation are not known. Here, we find that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) transcriptionally inhibits ftn-1 and ftn-2 during iron deficiency. We also show that HIF-1 activates the iron uptake gene smf-3. Transcriptional activation and inhibition by HIF-1 is dependent on an iron enhancer in the promoters of these genes. HIF-1 is a known transcriptional activator, but its role in transcriptional inhibition is not well understood. Our data show that HIF-1 regulates iron homeostasis by activating and inhibiting iron uptake and storage genes, and they provide insight into HIF-1 transcriptional inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Joshua Romney
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Ben S. Newman
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Colin Thacker
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Leibold
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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