1
|
Sundaram MV, Pujol N. The Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle and precuticle: a model for studying dynamic apical extracellular matrices in vivo. Genetics 2024:iyae072. [PMID: 38995735 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae072] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) coat the exposed surfaces of animal bodies to shape tissues, influence social interactions, and protect against pathogens and other environmental challenges. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, collagenous cuticle and zona pellucida protein-rich precuticle aECMs alternately coat external epithelia across the molt cycle and play many important roles in the worm's development, behavior, and physiology. Both these types of aECMs contain many matrix proteins related to those in vertebrates, as well as some that are nematode-specific. Extensive differences observed among tissues and life stages demonstrate that aECMs are a major feature of epithelial cell identity. In addition to forming discrete layers, some cuticle components assemble into complex substructures such as ridges, furrows, and nanoscale pillars. The epidermis and cuticle are mechanically linked, allowing the epidermis to sense cuticle damage and induce protective innate immune and stress responses. The C. elegans model, with its optical transparency, facilitates the study of aECM cell biology and structure/function relationships and all the myriad ways by which aECM can influence an organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meera V Sundaram
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nathalie Pujol
- Aix Marseille University, INSERM, CNRS, CIML, Turing Centre for Living Systems, 13009 Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang H, Tsui CK, Garcia G, Joe LK, Wu H, Maruichi A, Fan W, Pandovski S, Yoon PH, Webster BM, Durieux J, Frankino PA, Higuchi-Sanabria R, Dillin A. The extracellular matrix integrates mitochondrial homeostasis. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00638-X. [PMID: 38942015 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.057] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Cellular homeostasis is intricately influenced by stimuli from the microenvironment, including signaling molecules, metabolites, and pathogens. Functioning as a signaling hub within the cell, mitochondria integrate information from various intracellular compartments to regulate cellular signaling and metabolism. Multiple studies have shown that mitochondria may respond to various extracellular signaling events. However, it is less clear how changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) can impact mitochondrial homeostasis to regulate animal physiology. We find that ECM remodeling alters mitochondrial homeostasis in an evolutionarily conserved manner. Mechanistically, ECM remodeling triggers a TGF-β response to induce mitochondrial fission and the unfolded protein response of the mitochondria (UPRMT). At the organismal level, ECM remodeling promotes defense of animals against pathogens through enhanced mitochondrial stress responses. We postulate that this ECM-mitochondria crosstalk represents an ancient immune pathway, which detects infection- or mechanical-stress-induced ECM damage, thereby initiating adaptive mitochondria-based immune and metabolic responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanlin Zhang
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - C Kimberly Tsui
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Gilberto Garcia
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Larry K Joe
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Haolun Wu
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ayane Maruichi
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Wudi Fan
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sentibel Pandovski
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Peter H Yoon
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Brant M Webster
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jenni Durieux
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Phillip A Frankino
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ryo Higuchi-Sanabria
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Andrew Dillin
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vora M, Dietz J, Wing Z, Liu J, Rongo C, Savage-Dunn C. Genome-wide analysis of Smad and Schnurri transcription factors in C. elegans demonstrates widespread interaction and a function in collagen secretion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.05.597576. [PMID: 38895257 PMCID: PMC11185707 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.05.597576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Smads and their transcription factor partners mediate the transcriptional responses of target cells to secreted ligands of the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) family, including those of the conserved bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, yet only a small number of direct target genes have been well characterized. In C. elegans, the BMP2/4 ortholog DBL-1 regulates multiple biological functions, including body size, via a canonical receptor-Smad signaling cascade. Here, we identify functional binding sites for SMA-3/Smad and its transcriptional partner SMA-9/Schnurri based on ChIP-seq peaks (identified by modEncode) and expression differences of nearby genes identified from RNA-seq analysis of corresponding mutants. We found that SMA-3 and SMA-9 have both overlapping and unique target genes. At a genome-wide scale, SMA-3/Smad acts as a transcriptional activator, whereas SMA-9/Schnurri direct targets include both activated and repressed genes. Mutations in sma-9 partially suppress the small body size phenotype of sma-3, suggesting some level of antagonism between these factors and challenging the prevailing model for Schnurri function. A functional analysis of target genes revealed a novel role in body size for genes involved in one-carbon metabolism and in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) secretory pathway, including the disulfide reductase dpy-11. Our findings indicate that Smads and SMA-9/Schnurri have previously unappreciated complex genetic and genomic regulatory interactions that in turn regulate the secretion of extracellular components like collagen into the cuticle to mediate body size regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehul Vora
- Waksman Institute, Dept. of Genetics, Rutgers University, NJ, USA
- ModOmics Ltd, Southampton, UK
| | - Jonathan Dietz
- Waksman Institute, Dept. of Genetics, Rutgers University, NJ, USA
| | - Zachary Wing
- Department of Biology, Queens College, CUNY, NY, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, NY, USA
| | | | - Cathy Savage-Dunn
- Department of Biology, Queens College, CUNY, NY, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, the Graduate Center, CUNY, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fernandes da Costa D, de Oliveira Ribeiro A, Morena Bonita Ricci J, da Silva Rodrigues M, Antonio de Oliveira M, Felipe da Rosa I, Benites Doretto L, Takahiro Nakajima R, Henrique Nóbrega R. A83-01 and DMH1 effects in the zebrafish spermatogonial niche: Unraveling the roles of TGF-β and BMP signaling in the Fsh-mediated spermatogonial fate. Gene 2024; 897:148082. [PMID: 38101710 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.148082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling has fundamental roles in the regulation of the stem cell niche for both embryonic and adult stem cells. In zebrafish, male germ stem cell niche is regulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) through different members of the TGF-β superfamily. On the other hand, the specific roles of TGF-β and BMP signaling pathways are unknown in the zebrafish male germ stem cell niche. Considering this lack of information, the present study aimed to investigate the pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β (A83-01) and BMP (DMH1) signaling pathways in the presence of recombinant zebrafish Fsh using testicular explants. We also reanalyzed single cell-RNA sequencing (sc-RNA-seq) dataset from adult zebrafish testes to identify the testicular cellular sites of smad expression, and to understand the physiological significance of the changes in smad transcript levels after inhibition of TGF-β or BMP pathways. Our results showed that A83-01 potentiated the pro-stimulatory effects of Fsh on spermatogonial differentiation leading to an increase in the proportion area occupied by differentiated spermatogonia with concomitant reduction of type A undifferentiated (Aund) spermatogonia. In agreement, expression analysis showed lower mRNA levels for the pluripotency gene pou5f3, and increased expression of dazl (marker of type B spermatogonia and spermatocyte) and igf3 (pro-stimulatory growth factor) following the co-treatment with TGF-β inhibitor and Fsh. Contrariwise, the inhibition of BMP signaling nullified the pro-stimulatory effects of Fsh, resulting in a reduction of differentiated spermatogonia and increased proportion area occupied by type Aund spermatogonia. Supporting this evidence, BMP signaling inhibition increased the mRNA levels of pluripotency genes nanog and pou5f3, and decreased dazl levels when compared to control. The sc-RNA-seq data unveiled a distinctive pattern of smad expression among testicular cells, primarily observed in spermatogonia (smad 2, 3a, 3b, 8), spermatocytes (smad 2, 3a, 8), Sertoli cells (smad 1, 3a, 3b), and Leydig cells (smad 1, 2). This finding supports the notion that inhibition of TGF-β and BMP signaling pathways may predominantly impact cellular components within the spermatogonial niche, namely spermatogonia, Sertoli, and Leydig cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that TGF-β and BMP signaling pathways exert antagonistic roles in the zebrafish germ stem cell niche. The members of the TGF-β subfamily are mainly involved in maintaining the undifferentiated state of spermatogonia, while the BMP subfamily promotes spermatogonial differentiation. Therefore, in the complex regulation of the germ stem cell niche by Fsh, members of the BMP subfamily (pro-differentiation) should be more predominant in the niche than those belonging to the TGF-β (anti-differentiation). Overall, these findings are not only relevant for understanding the regulation of germ stem cell niche but may also be useful for expanding in vitro the number of undifferentiated spermatogonia more efficiently than using recombinant hormones or growth factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fernandes da Costa
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda de Oliveira Ribeiro
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Morena Bonita Ricci
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maira da Silva Rodrigues
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio de Oliveira
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ivana Felipe da Rosa
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Benites Doretto
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Takahiro Nakajima
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Henrique Nóbrega
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hulsey-Vincent H, Athanasopoulos A, McGehee A, Kowalski JR, Dahlberg C. A Fiji protocol for analyzing puncta is a robust tool for measuring GLR-1::GFP accumulation in the ventral nerve cord of C. elegans. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.001004. [PMID: 38170032 PMCID: PMC10760542 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In C. elegans, DAF-7/TGF-beta signaling regulates development, metabolism, and behavior. In addition loss of daf-7 leads to an increase of the glutamate receptor GLR-1. In daf-7(e1372) mutants, GLR-1 tagged with GFP (GLR-1::GFP) accumulates in wide puncta along the ventral nerve cord of the animal. Previous automated analyses of GLR-1::GFP accumulation relied on the proprietary software, IgorPro, for measurement of GLR-1::GFP puncta size, intensity, and density. We did a side-by-side comparison of analyses by IgorPro and an open source macro written for Fiji to analyze images from animals expressing GLR-1::GFP in wild type and daf-7(e1372) backgrounds. Analyses by the two programs were in strong agreement and are in accordance with previously published data on the effects of daf-7(e1372) on GLR-1::GFP accumulation. Based on these data, we conclude that the Fiji platform is a robust method for analyzing the accumulation of a fluorescently-tagged neurotransmitter receptor and that the Fiji puncta plugin will be applicable for image analysis for other neural markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Annette McGehee
- Biology, Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | | | - Caroline Dahlberg
- Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wu D, Kong X, Zhang W, Di W. Reconstruction of the TGF-β signaling pathway of Fasciola gigantica. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:51. [PMID: 38095703 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08064-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we reconstructed the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway for Fasciola gigantica, which is a neglected tropical pathogen. We defined the components involved in the TGF-β signaling pathway and investigated the transcription profiles of these genes for all developmental stages of F. gigantica. In addition, the presence of these components in excretory and secretory products (FgESP) was predicted via signal peptide annotation. The core components of the TGF-β signaling pathway have been detected in F. gigantica; classical and nonclassical single transduction pathways were constructed. Four ligands have been detected, which may mediate the TGF-β signaling pathway and BMP signaling pathway. Two ligand-binding type II receptors were detected, and inhibitory Smad7 was not detected. TLP, BMP-3, BMP-1, and ActRIb showed higher transcription in 42-day juvenile and 70-day juvenile, while ActRIIa, Smad1, ActRIIb, Smad8, KAT2B, and PP2A showed higher transcription in egg. TLM, Ski, Smad6, BMPRI, p70S6K, Smad2, Smad3, TgfβRI, Smad4, and p300 showed higher transcription in metacercariae. Four ligands, 2 receptors and 3 Smads are predicted to be present in the FgESP, suggesting their potential extrinsic function. This study should help to understand signal transduction in the TGF-β signaling pathway in F. gigantica. In addition, this study helps to illustrate the complex mechanisms involved in developmental processes and F. gigantica - host interaction and paves the way for further characterization of the signaling pathway in trematodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongqi Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xinping Kong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Wenda Di
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Woodruff GC, Willis JH, Johnson E, Phillips PC. Widespread changes in gene expression accompany body size evolution in nematodes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.30.564729. [PMID: 37961435 PMCID: PMC10635002 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.30.564729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Body size is a fundamental trait that drives multiple evolutionary and ecological patterns. Caenorhabditis inopinata is a fig-associated nematode that is exceptionally large relative to other members of the genus, including C. elegans. We previously showed that C. inopinata is large primarily due to postembryonic cell size expansion that occurs during the larval-to-adult transition. Here, we describe gene expression patterns in C. elegans and C. inopinata throughout this developmental period to understand the transcriptional basis of body size change. We performed RNA-seq in both species across the L3, L4, and adult stages. Most genes are differentially expressed across all developmental stages, consistent with C. inopinata's divergent ecology and morphology. We also used a model comparison approach to identify orthologs with divergent dynamics across this developmental period between the two species. This included genes connected to neurons, behavior, stress response, developmental timing, and small RNA/chromatin regulation. Multiple hypodermal collagens were also observed to harbor divergent developmental dynamics across this period, and genes important for molting and body morphology were also detected. Genes associated with TGF-β signaling revealed idiosyncratic and unexpected transcriptional patterns given their role in body size regulation in C. elegans. Widespread transcriptional divergence between these species is unexpected and may be a signature of the ecological and morphological divergence of C. inopinata. Alternatively, transcriptional turnover may be the rule in the Caenorhabditis genus, indicative of widespread developmental system drift among species. This work lays the foundation for future functional genetic studies interrogating the bases of body size evolution in this group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gavin C Woodruff
- University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
- Current institution: University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang R, Fang J, Qi T, Zhu S, Yao L, Fang G, Li Y, Zang X, Xu W, Hao W, Liu S, Yang D, Chen D, Yang J, Ma X, Wu L. Maternal aging increases offspring adult body size via transmission of donut-shaped mitochondria. Cell Res 2023; 33:821-834. [PMID: 37500768 PMCID: PMC10624822 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-023-00854-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal age at childbearing has continued to increase in recent decades. However, whether and how it influences offspring adult traits are largely unknown. Here, using adult body size as the primary readout, we reveal that maternal rather than paternal age has an evolutionarily conserved effect on offspring adult traits in humans, Drosophila, and Caenorhabditis elegans. Elucidating the mechanisms of such effects in humans and other long-lived animals remains challenging due to their long life course and difficulties in conducting in vivo studies. We thus employ the short-lived and genetically tractable nematode C. elegans to explore the mechanisms underlying the regulation of offspring adult trait by maternal aging. By microscopic analysis, we find that old worms transmit aged mitochondria with a donut-like shape to offspring. These mitochondria are rejuvenated in the offspring's early life, with their morphology fully restored before adulthood in an AMPK-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that early-life mitochondrial dysfunction activates AMPK, which in turn not only alleviates mitochondrial abnormalities but also activates TGFβ signaling to increase offspring adult size. Together, our findings provide mechanistic insight into the ancient role of maternal aging in shaping the traits of adult offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Runshuai Zhang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jinan Fang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Qi
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shihao Zhu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luxia Yao
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guicun Fang
- Microscopy Core Facility, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Zang
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weina Xu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wanyu Hao
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shouye Liu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dan Yang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Chen
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xianjue Ma
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Lianfeng Wu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yamamoto KK, Savage-Dunn C. TGF-β pathways in aging and immunity: lessons from Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Genet 2023; 14:1220068. [PMID: 37732316 PMCID: PMC10507863 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1220068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of signaling molecules plays critical roles in development, differentiation, homeostasis, and disease. Due to the conservation of these ligands and their signaling pathways, genetic studies in invertebrate systems including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have been instrumental in identifying signaling mechanisms. C. elegans is also a premier organism for research in longevity and healthy aging. Here we summarize current knowledge on the roles of TGF-β signaling in aging and immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cathy Savage-Dunn
- Department of Biology, Queens College, and PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York City, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Liu H, Tao Z, Wang Y, Liu X, Wang C, Liu L, Hu M. A member of the CAP protein superfamily, Hc-CAP-15, is important for the parasitic-stage development of Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:290. [PMID: 37592312 PMCID: PMC10433639 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05907-w] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CAP superfamily proteins are distributed widely in eukaryotes and play crucial roles in various biological processes. However, very little is known about their functions in parasitic nematodes, including Haemonchus contortus, a socioeconomically important parasitic nematode. We have therefore studied a member of the CAP protein family of H. contortus, named Hc-CAP-15, with the aim to explore its roles in regulating the parasitic developmental process. METHODS The conservation and phylogenetic relationships, spatial expression and temporal transcription profiles of Hc-CAP/cap-15, as well its biological function during parasite development were investigated using bioinformatics, immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and RNA interference (RNAi). RESULTS Hc-CAP-15 was found to be a single-domain CAP protein consisting of four conserved motifs that is localized in the cuticle, intestine and oocyte of adult worms. Hc-cap-15 was transcribed at all developmental stages of H. contortus, with the highest transcription level in parasitic fourth-stage larvae (L4s). Silencing of Hc-cap-15 resulted in a significant increase in the body length of L4s. CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that Hc-CAP-15 is important for the development of H. contortus. Our findings provide a basis for further study of the functions of the CAP family proteins in H. contortus and related parasitic nematodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhuolin Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chunqun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bresgen N, Kovacs M, Lahnsteiner A, Felder TK, Rinnerthaler M. The Janus-Faced Role of Lipid Droplets in Aging: Insights from the Cellular Perspective. Biomolecules 2023; 13:912. [PMID: 37371492 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that nine hallmarks-including mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic alterations, and loss of proteostasis-exist that describe the cellular aging process. Adding to this, a well-described cell organelle in the metabolic context, namely, lipid droplets, also accumulates with increasing age, which can be regarded as a further aging-associated process. Independently of their essential role as fat stores, lipid droplets are also able to control cell integrity by mitigating lipotoxic and proteotoxic insults. As we will show in this review, numerous longevity interventions (such as mTOR inhibition) also lead to strong accumulation of lipid droplets in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and mammalian cells, just to name a few examples. In mammals, due to the variety of different cell types and tissues, the role of lipid droplets during the aging process is much more complex. Using selected diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, we show that lipid droplets are "Janus"-faced. In an early phase of the disease, lipid droplets mitigate the toxicity of lipid peroxidation and protein aggregates, but in a later phase of the disease, a strong accumulation of lipid droplets can cause problems for cells and tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus Bresgen
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Melanie Kovacs
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Angelika Lahnsteiner
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Klaus Felder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mark Rinnerthaler
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Joseph BB, Naslavsky N, Binti S, Conquest S, Robison L, Bai G, Homer RO, Grant BD, Caplan S, Fay DS. Conserved NIMA kinases regulate multiple steps of endocytic trafficking. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010741. [PMID: 37099601 PMCID: PMC10166553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010741] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Human NIMA-related kinases have primarily been studied for their roles in cell cycle progression (NEK1/2/6/7/9), checkpoint-DNA-damage control (NEK1/2/4/5/10/11), and ciliogenesis (NEK1/4/8). We previously showed that Caenorhabditis elegans NEKL-2 (NEK8/9 homolog) and NEKL-3 (NEK6/7 homolog) regulate apical clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) in the worm epidermis and are essential for molting. Here we show that NEKL-2 and NEKL-3 also have distinct roles in controlling endosome function and morphology. Specifically, loss of NEKL-2 led to enlarged early endosomes with long tubular extensions but showed minimal effects on other compartments. In contrast, NEKL-3 depletion caused pronounced defects in early, late, and recycling endosomes. Consistently, NEKL-2 was strongly localized to early endosomes, whereas NEKL-3 was localized to multiple endosomal compartments. Loss of NEKLs also led to variable defects in the recycling of two resident cargoes of the trans-Golgi network (TGN), MIG-14/Wntless and TGN-38/TGN38, which were missorted to lysosomes after NEKL depletion. In addition, defects were observed in the uptake of clathrin-dependent (SMA-6/Type I BMP receptor) and independent cargoes (DAF-4/Type II BMP receptor) from the basolateral surface of epidermal cells after NEKL-2 or NEKL-3 depletion. Complementary studies in human cell lines further showed that siRNA knockdown of the NEKL-3 orthologs NEK6 and NEK7 led to missorting of the mannose 6-phosphate receptor from endosomes. Moreover, in multiple human cell types, depletion of NEK6 or NEK7 disrupted both early and recycling endosomal compartments, including the presence of excess tubulation within recycling endosomes, a defect also observed after NEKL-3 depletion in worms. Thus, NIMA family kinases carry out multiple functions during endocytosis in both worms and humans, consistent with our previous observation that human NEKL-3 orthologs can rescue molting and trafficking defects in C. elegans nekl-3 mutants. Our findings suggest that trafficking defects could underlie some of the proposed roles for NEK kinases in human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Braveen B. Joseph
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Naava Naslavsky
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Shaonil Binti
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Conquest
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Lexi Robison
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Ge Bai
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Rafael O. Homer
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Barth D. Grant
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Steve Caplan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - David S. Fay
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Agriculture Life Sciences, and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
An Q, Zhang L, Qin X, Wang X, Wang W, Meng Q, Zhang Y. Phenolic Compounds from Sonchus arvensis Linn. and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. Inhibit Sucrose and Stearic Acid Induced Damage in Caenorhabditis elegans. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041707. [PMID: 36838695 PMCID: PMC9966267 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sonchus arvensis Linn. and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. have been reported to improve body resistance. However, the underlying mechanism is not clear. In this study, Sonchus arvensis Linn. phenolic compounds (SAP) and Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. phenolic compounds (HCP) were extracted and their protective effects in Caenorhabditis elegans evaluated. SAP and HCP showed considerably different phenolic compositions. In the normal C. elegans model, HCP exhibited better effects in promoting growth than SAP. In the sucrose-incubated C. elegans model, both SAP and HCP showed positive effects against the high-sucrose-induced damage. In the stearic acid-incubated C. elegans model, both SAP and HCP improved lifespan, reproductive ability and growth, while HCP had a more evident effect than SAP on reproductive ability. The TGF-β signaling pathway was confirmed to be involved in the protective effects of SAP and HCP. The antioxidant ability of SAP was also found to be related to skn-1. Our study shows that both SAP and HCP have protective effects against high sucrose- or high stearic acid-induced damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qin An
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xiyue Qin
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xiong Wang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenli Wang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qingyong Meng
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yali Zhang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Naringin Alleviates Glucose-Induced Aging by Reducing Fat Accumulation and Promoting Autophagy in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15040907. [PMID: 36839265 PMCID: PMC9961211 DOI: 10.3390/nu15040907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Naringin (Nar) is a dihydroflavonoid compound, widely found in citrus fruit and used in Chinese herbal medicine. As a phytochemical, it acts as a dietary supplement that can delay aging and prevent aging-related disease, such as obesity and diabetes. However, its exact mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the high-glucose-induced (HGI) Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to evaluate the anti-aging and anti-obesity effects of Nar. The mean lifespan and fast movement span of HGI worms were extended roughly 24% and 11%, respectively, by Nar treatment. Oil red O staining revealed a significant reduction in fat accumulation and dFP::LGG-labeled worms showed the promotion of autophagy. Additionally, whole transcriptome sequencing and gene set variation analysis suggested that Nar upregulated the lipid biosynthesis and metabolism pathways, as well as the TGF-β, Wnt and longevity signaling pathways. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified hub genes in these pathways for further analysis. Mutant worms and RNA interference were used to study mechanisms; the suppression of hlh-30, lgg-1, unc-51, pha-4, skn-1 and yap-1 disabled the fat-lowering, lifespan-prolonging, and health-promoting properties of Nar. Collectively, our findings indicate that Nar plays an important role in alleviating HGI-aging and anti-obesity effects by reducing fat accumulation and promoting autophagy.
Collapse
|
15
|
Li Q, Xiao M, Li N, Cai W, Zhao C, Liu B, Zeng F. Application of
Caenorhabditis elegans
in the evaluation of food nutrition: A review. EFOOD 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/efd2.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Quancen Li
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Meifang Xiao
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Na Li
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Wenwen Cai
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Chao Zhao
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- College of Marine Sciences Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- Engineering Research Center of Fujian Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable Processing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- Engineering Research Center of Fujian Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable Processing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- National Engineering Research Center of JUNCAO Technology Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| | - Feng Zeng
- College of Food Science Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- Engineering Research Center of Fujian Subtropical Fruit and Vegetable Processing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Peng H, Bai H, Pan Y, Li J, Pei Z, Liao Y, Wu C, Li C, Tao L, Zhong S, Ma C, Chen Z, Li X, Gong Y, Wang L, Li F. Immunological pathogenesis of Bovine E. coli infection in a model of C. elegans. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:311. [PMID: 36539715 PMCID: PMC9764636 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02733-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cattle industry is critical for China's livestock industry, whereas E. coli infection and relevant diseases could lead huge economic loss. Traditional mammalian models would be costly, time consuming and complicated to study pathological changes of bovine E. coli. There is an urgent need for a simple but efficient animal model to quantitatively evaluate the pathological changes of bovine-derived E. coli in vivo. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has a broad host range of diverse E. coli strains with advantages, including a short life cycle, a simple structure, a transparent body which is easily visualized, a well-studied genetic map, an intrinsic immune system which is conservable with more complicated mammalians. RESULTS Here, we considered that O126 was the dominant serotype, and a total of 19 virulence factors were identified from 41 common E. coli virulence factors. Different E. coli strains with diverse pathogenicity strengths were tested in C. elegans in E. coli with higher pathogenicity (EC3/10), Nsy-1, Sek-1 and Pmk-1 of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway cascade and the expression of the antimicrobial peptides Abf-3 and Clec-60 were significantly up-regulated comparing with other groups. E. coli with lower pathogenicity (EC5/13) only activated the expression of Nsy-1 and Sek-1 genes in the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, Additionally, both groups of E. coli strains caused significant upregulation of the antimicrobial peptide Spp-1. CONCLUSION Thirteen E. coli strains showed diverse pathogenicity in nematodes and the detection rate of virulence factors did not corresponding to the virulence in nematodes, indicating complex pathogenicity mechanisms. We approved that C. elegans is a fast and convenient detection model for pathogenic bacteria virulence examinations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Peng
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Huili Bai
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Yan Pan
- Guangxi Agricultural Vocational University, Nanning, China
| | - Jun Li
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Zhe Pei
- grid.254250.40000 0001 2264 7145The City College of New York, New York, USA
| | - Yuying Liao
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Cuilan Wu
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Changting Li
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Li Tao
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Shuhong Zhong
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Chunxia Ma
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Zhongwei Chen
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Xiaoning Li
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Yu Gong
- Animal Science and Technology Station of Guizhou, Guiyang, China
| | - Leping Wang
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| | - Fengsheng Li
- grid.418337.aGuangxi Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Guangxi Veterinary Research Institute, Nanning, 530001 China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lo WS, Roca M, Dardiry M, Mackie M, Eberhardt G, Witte H, Hong R, Sommer RJ, Lightfoot JW. Evolution and Diversity of TGF-β Pathways are Linked with Novel Developmental and Behavioral Traits. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:msac252. [PMID: 36469861 PMCID: PMC9733428 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is essential for numerous biologic functions. It is a highly conserved pathway found in all metazoans including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which has also been pivotal in identifying many components. Utilizing a comparative evolutionary approach, we explored TGF-β signaling in nine nematode species and revealed striking variability in TGF-β gene frequency across the lineage. Of the species analyzed, gene duplications in the DAF-7 pathway appear common with the greatest disparity observed in Pristionchus pacificus. Specifically, multiple paralogues of daf-3, daf-4 and daf-7 were detected. To investigate this additional diversity, we induced mutations in 22 TGF-β components and generated corresponding double, triple, and quadruple mutants revealing both conservation and diversification in function. Although the DBL-1 pathway regulating body morphology appears highly conserved, the DAF-7 pathway exhibits functional divergence, notably in some aspects of dauer formation. Furthermore, the formation of the phenotypically plastic mouth in P. pacificus is partially influenced through TGF-β with the strongest effect in Ppa-tag-68. This appears important for numerous processes in P. pacificus but has no known function in C. elegans. Finally, we observe behavioral differences in TGF-β mutants including in chemosensation and the establishment of the P. pacificus kin-recognition signal. Thus, TGF-β signaling in nematodes represents a stochastic genetic network capable of generating novel functions through the duplication and deletion of associated genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Sui Lo
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Max-Planck Ring 9, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marianne Roca
- Max Planck Research Group Genetics of Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior—Caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mohannad Dardiry
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Max-Planck Ring 9, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marisa Mackie
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA
| | - Gabi Eberhardt
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Max-Planck Ring 9, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hanh Witte
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Max-Planck Ring 9, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ray Hong
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA
| | - Ralf J Sommer
- Department for Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Max-Planck Ring 9, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - James W Lightfoot
- Max Planck Research Group Genetics of Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior—Caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Armingol E, Ghaddar A, Joshi CJ, Baghdassarian H, Shamie I, Chan J, Her HL, Berhanu S, Dar A, Rodriguez-Armstrong F, Yang O, O’Rourke EJ, Lewis NE. Inferring a spatial code of cell-cell interactions across a whole animal body. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010715. [PMID: 36395331 PMCID: PMC9714814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010715] [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: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions shape cellular function and ultimately organismal phenotype. Interacting cells can sense their mutual distance using combinations of ligand-receptor pairs, suggesting the existence of a spatial code, i.e., signals encoding spatial properties of cellular organization. However, this code driving and sustaining the spatial organization of cells remains to be elucidated. Here we present a computational framework to infer the spatial code underlying cell-cell interactions from the transcriptomes of the cell types across the whole body of a multicellular organism. As core of this framework, we introduce our tool cell2cell, which uses the coexpression of ligand-receptor pairs to compute the potential for intercellular interactions, and we test it across the Caenorhabditis elegans' body. Leveraging a 3D atlas of C. elegans' cells, we also implement a genetic algorithm to identify the ligand-receptor pairs most informative of the spatial organization of cells across the whole body. Validating the spatial code extracted with this strategy, the resulting intercellular distances are negatively correlated with the inferred cell-cell interactions. Furthermore, for selected cell-cell and ligand-receptor pairs, we experimentally confirm the communicatory behavior inferred with cell2cell and the genetic algorithm. Thus, our framework helps identify a code that predicts the spatial organization of cells across a whole-animal body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erick Armingol
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Abbas Ghaddar
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Chintan J. Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Hratch Baghdassarian
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Isaac Shamie
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jason Chan
- Poway High School, Poway, California, United States of America
| | - Hsuan-Lin Her
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Samuel Berhanu
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Anushka Dar
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | | | - Olivia Yang
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Eyleen J. O’Rourke
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine of University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Nathan E. Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cheng X, Yan Z, Su Z, Liu J. The transforming growth factor beta ligand TIG-2 modulates the function of neuromuscular junction and muscle energy metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:962974. [PMID: 36385772 PMCID: PMC9650414 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.962974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the physiological function of TGF-β (the transforming growth factor beta) family ligands is import for understanding the role of TGF-β in animals' development and aging. Here, we investigate the function of TIG-2, one of the ligands in Caenorhabditis elegans TGF-β family, in animals' behavioral modulation. Our results show that a loss-of-function mutation in tig-2 gene result in slower locomotion speed in the early adulthood and an increased density of cholinergic synapses, but a decreased neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Further tissue-specific rescue results reveal that neuronal and intestinal TIG-2 are essential for the formation of cholinergic synapses at NMJs. Interestingly, tig-2(ok3416) mutant is characterized with reduced muscle mitochondria content and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, although the function of muscle acetylcholine receptors and the morphology muscle fibers in the mutant are comparable to that in wild-type animals. Our result suggests that TIG-2 from different neuron and intestine regulates worm locomotion by modulating synaptogenesis and neurotransmission at NMJs, as well as energy metabolism in postsynaptic muscle cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Cheng
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Zhenzhen Yan
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Zexiong Su
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jie Liu
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Arneaud SLB, McClendon J, Tatge L, Watterson A, Zuurbier KR, Madhu B, Gumienny TL, Douglas PM. Reduced bone morphogenic protein signaling along the gut-neuron axis by heat shock factor promotes longevity. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13693. [PMID: 35977034 PMCID: PMC9470895 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a complex and highly regulated process of interwoven signaling mechanisms. As an ancient transcriptional regulator of thermal adaptation and protein homeostasis, the Heat Shock Factor, HSF-1, has evolved functions within the nervous system to control age progression; however, the molecular details and signaling dynamics by which HSF-1 modulates age across tissues remain unclear. Herein, we report a nonautonomous mode of age regulation by HSF-1 in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system that works through the bone morphogenic protein, BMP, signaling pathway to modulate membrane trafficking in peripheral tissues. In particular, HSF-1 represses the expression of the neuron-specific BMP ligand, DBL-1, and initiates a complementary negative feedback loop within the intestine. By reducing receipt of DBL-1 in the periphery, the SMAD transcriptional coactivator, SMA-3, represses the expression of critical membrane trafficking regulators including Rab GTPases involved in early (RAB-5), late (RAB-7), and recycling (RAB-11.1) endosomal dynamics and the BMP receptor binding protein, SMA-10. This reduces cell surface residency and steady-state levels of the type I BMP receptor, SMA-6, in the intestine and further dampens signal transmission to the periphery. Thus, the ability of HSF-1 to coordinate BMP signaling along the gut-brain axis is an important determinate in age progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob McClendon
- Department of Molecular BiologyUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Lexus Tatge
- Department of Molecular BiologyUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Abigail Watterson
- Department of Molecular BiologyUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Kielen R. Zuurbier
- Department of Molecular BiologyUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| | - Bhoomi Madhu
- Department of BiologyTexas Woman's UniversityDentonTexasUSA
| | | | - Peter M. Douglas
- Department of Molecular BiologyUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and MedicineUT Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTexasUSA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Microbiomes: How a gut bacterium promotes healthier living in a nematode. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R428-R430. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
22
|
Tiwary E, Hu M, Prasain JK. Sperm-Guiding Unconventional Prostaglandins in C. elegans: Synthesis and Signaling. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11120853. [PMID: 34940611 PMCID: PMC8705762 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11120853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandins comprise a family of lipid signaling molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids and are involved in a wide array of biological processes, including fertilization. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (a.k.a. cyclooxygenase or Cox) initiates prostaglandin synthesis from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid. Oocytes of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have been shown to secrete sperm-guidance cues prostaglandins, independent of Cox enzymes. Both prostaglandin synthesis and signal transduction in C. elegans are environmentally modulated pathways that regulate sperm guidance to the fertilization site. Environmental factors such as food triggers insulin and TGF-β secretion and their levels regulate tissue-specific prostaglandin synthesis in C. elegans. This novel PG pathway is abundant in mouse and human ovarian follicular fluid, where their functions, mechanism of synthesis and pathways remain to be established. Given the importance of prostaglandins in reproductive processes, a better understanding of how diets and other environmental factors influence their synthesis and function may lead to new strategies towards improving fertility in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Tiwary
- Department of Medicines, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Muhan Hu
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Jeevan K. Prasain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(205)-996-2612
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chauve L, Hodge F, Murdoch S, Masoudzadeh F, Mann HJ, Lopez-Clavijo AF, Okkenhaug H, West G, Sousa BC, Segonds-Pichon A, Li C, Wingett SW, Kienberger H, Kleigrewe K, de Bono M, Wakelam MJO, Casanueva O. Neuronal HSF-1 coordinates the propagation of fat desaturation across tissues to enable adaptation to high temperatures in C. elegans. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001431. [PMID: 34723964 PMCID: PMC8585009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To survive elevated temperatures, ectotherms adjust the fluidity of membranes by fine-tuning lipid desaturation levels in a process previously described to be cell autonomous. We have discovered that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, neuronal heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1), the conserved master regulator of the heat shock response (HSR), causes extensive fat remodeling in peripheral tissues. These changes include a decrease in fat desaturase and acid lipase expression in the intestine and a global shift in the saturation levels of plasma membrane's phospholipids. The observed remodeling of plasma membrane is in line with ectothermic adaptive responses and gives worms a cumulative advantage to warm temperatures. We have determined that at least 6 TAX-2/TAX-4 cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) gated channel expressing sensory neurons, and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) are required for signaling across tissues to modulate fat desaturation. We also find neuronal hsf-1 is not only sufficient but also partially necessary to control the fat remodeling response and for survival at warm temperatures. This is the first study to show that a thermostat-based mechanism can cell nonautonomously coordinate membrane saturation and composition across tissues in a multicellular animal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Chauve
- Epigenetics Department, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Hodge
- Epigenetics Department, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sharlene Murdoch
- Epigenetics Department, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Greg West
- Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Cheryl Li
- Epigenetics Department, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Karin Kleigrewe
- Bavarian Centre for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry, Freising, Germany
| | - Mario de Bono
- Institute of Science and Technology, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | | | - Olivia Casanueva
- Epigenetics Department, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Scharf A, Pohl F, Egan BM, Kocsisova Z, Kornfeld K. Reproductive Aging in Caenorhabditis elegans: From Molecules to Ecology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:718522. [PMID: 34604218 PMCID: PMC8481778 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.718522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging animals display a broad range of progressive degenerative changes, and one of the most fascinating is the decline of female reproductive function. In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, hermaphrodites reach a peak of progeny production on day 2 of adulthood and then display a rapid decline; progeny production typically ends by day 8 of adulthood. Since animals typically survive until day 15 of adulthood, there is a substantial post reproductive lifespan. Here we review the molecular and cellular changes that occur during reproductive aging, including reductions in stem cell number and activity, slowing meiotic progression, diminished Notch signaling, and deterioration of germ line and oocyte morphology. Several interventions have been identified that delay reproductive aging, including mutations, drugs and environmental factors such as temperature. The detailed description of reproductive aging coupled with interventions that delay this process have made C. elegans a leading model system to understand the mechanisms that drive reproductive aging. While reproductive aging has dramatic consequences for individual fertility, it also has consequences for the ecology of the population. Population dynamics are driven by birth and death, and reproductive aging is one important factor that influences birth rate. A variety of theories have been advanced to explain why reproductive aging occurs and how it has been sculpted during evolution. Here we summarize these theories and discuss the utility of C. elegans for testing mechanistic and evolutionary models of reproductive aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scharf
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Franziska Pohl
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Brian M Egan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Zuzana Kocsisova
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kerry Kornfeld
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Mørch MGM, Møller KV, Hesselager MO, Harders RH, Kidmose CL, Buhl T, Fuursted K, Bendixen E, Shen C, Christensen LG, Poulsen CH, Olsen A. The TGF-β ligand DBL-1 is a key player in a multifaceted probiotic protection against MRSA in C. elegans. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10717. [PMID: 34021197 PMCID: PMC8139972 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89831-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide the increase in multi-resistant bacteria due to misuse of traditional antibiotics is a growing threat for our health. Finding alternatives to traditional antibiotics is thus timely. Probiotic bacteria have numerous beneficial effects and could offer safer alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Here, we use the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to screen a library of different lactobacilli to identify potential probiotic bacteria and characterize their mechanisms of action. We show that pretreatment with the Lactobacillus spp. Lb21 increases lifespan of C. elegans and results in resistance towards pathogenic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Using genetic analysis, we find that Lb21-mediated MRSA resistance is dependent on the DBL-1 ligand of the TGF-β signaling pathway in C. elegans. This response is evolutionarily conserved as we find that Lb21 also induces the TGF-β pathway in porcine epithelial cells. We further characterize the host responses in an unbiased proteome analysis and identify 474 proteins regulated in worms fed Lb21 compared to control food. These include fatty acid CoA synthetase ACS-22, aspartic protease ASP-6 and vitellogenin VIT-2 which are important for Lb21-mediated MRSA resistance. Thus, Lb21 exerts its probiotic effect on C. elegans in a multifactorial manner. In summary, our study establishes a mechanistic basis for the antimicrobial potential of lactobacilli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria G M Mørch
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Katrine V Møller
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Rikke H Harders
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Caroline L Kidmose
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Therese Buhl
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Emøke Bendixen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Chong Shen
- Gut Immunology Lab, Health & Biosciences , IFF , Brabrand , Denmark
| | | | | | - Anders Olsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Host Immunity Alters Community Ecology and Stability of the Microbiome in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model. mSystems 2021; 6:6/2/e00608-20. [PMID: 33879498 PMCID: PMC8561663 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00608-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of data suggests that the microbiome of a species can vary considerably from individual to individual, but the reasons for this variation—and the consequences for the ecology of these communities—remain only partially explained. In mammals, the emerging picture is that the metabolic state and immune system status of the host affect the composition of the microbiome, but quantitative ecological microbiome studies are challenging to perform in higher organisms. Here, we show that these phenomena can be quantitatively analyzed in the tractable nematode host Caenorhabditis elegans. Mutants in innate immunity, in particular the DAF-2/insulin growth factor (IGF) pathway, are shown to contain a microbiome that differs from that of wild-type nematodes. We analyzed the underlying basis of these differences from the perspective of community ecology by comparing experimental observations to the predictions of a neutral sampling model and concluded that fundamental differences in microbiome ecology underlie the observed differences in microbiome composition. We tested this hypothesis by introducing a minor perturbation into the colonization conditions, allowing us to assess stability of communities in different host strains. Our results show that altering host immunity changes the importance of interspecies interactions within the microbiome, resulting in differences in community composition and stability that emerge from these differences in host-microbe ecology. IMPORTANCE Here, we used a Caenorhabditis elegans microbiome model to demonstrate how genetic differences in innate immunity alter microbiome composition, diversity, and stability by changing the ecological processes that shape these communities. These results provide insight into the role of host genetics in controlling the ecology of the host-associated microbiota, resulting in differences in community composition, successional trajectories, and response to perturbation.
Collapse
|
27
|
Cho JY, Choi TW, Kim SH, Ahnn J, Lee SK. Morphological Characterization of small, dumpy, and long Phenotypes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Cells 2021; 44:160-167. [PMID: 33692220 PMCID: PMC8019597 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2021.2236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The determinant factors of an organism's size during animal development have been explored from various angles but remain partially understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, many genes affecting cuticle structure, cell growth, and proliferation have been identified to regulate the worm's overall morphology, including body size. While various mutations in those genes directly result in changes in the morphological phenotypes, there is still a need for established, clear, and distinct standards to determine the apparent abnormality in a worm's size and shape. In this study, we measured the body length, body width, terminal bulb length, and head size of mutant worms with reported Dumpy (Dpy), Small (Sma) or Long (Lon) phenotypes by plotting and comparing their respective ratios of various parameters. These results show that the Sma phenotypes are proportionally smaller overall with mild stoutness, and Dpy phenotypes are significantly stouter and have disproportionally small head size. This study provides a standard platform for determining morphological phenotypes designating and annotating mutants that exhibit body shape variations, defining the morphological phenotype of previously unexamined mutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Young Cho
- Department of Life Science, School of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- BK21 PLUS Life Science for BDR Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Present address: Doctor of Dental Surgery Program, University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
| | - Tae-Woo Choi
- Department of Life Science, School of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- BK21 PLUS Life Science for BDR Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Present address: Macrogen Inc., Seoul 08511, Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Kim
- Department of Life Science, School of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Joohong Ahnn
- Department of Life Science, School of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- BK21 PLUS Life Science for BDR Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Sun-Kyung Lee
- Department of Life Science, School of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- BK21 PLUS Life Science for BDR Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
George AK, Behera J, Homme RP, Tyagi N, Tyagi SC, Singh M. Rebuilding Microbiome for Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury: Importance of Restructuring the Gut-Microbiome-Brain Axis. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3614-3627. [PMID: 33774742 PMCID: PMC8003896 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02357-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a damage to the brain from an external force that results in temporary or permanent impairment in brain functions. Unfortunately, not many treatment options are available to TBI patients. Therefore, knowledge of the complex interplay between gut microbiome (GM) and brain health may shed novel insights as it is a rapidly expanding field of research around the world. Recent studies show that GM plays important roles in shaping neurogenerative processes such as blood-brain-barrier (BBB), myelination, neurogenesis, and microglial maturation. In addition, GM is also known to modulate many aspects of neurological behavior and cognition; however, not much is known about the role of GM in brain injuries. Since GM has been shown to improve cellular and molecular functions via mitigating TBI-induced pathologies such as BBB permeability, neuroinflammation, astroglia activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, herein we discuss how a dysbiotic gut environment, which in fact, contributes to central nervous system (CNS) disorders during brain injury and how to potentially ward off these harmful effects. We further opine that a better understanding of GM-brain (GMB) axis could help assist in designing better treatment and management strategies in future for the patients who are faced with limited options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akash K George
- Eye and Vision Science Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA.,Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA
| | - Jyotirmaya Behera
- Bone Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA
| | - Rubens P Homme
- Eye and Vision Science Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA.,Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA
| | - Neetu Tyagi
- Bone Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA
| | - Suresh C Tyagi
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA
| | - Mahavir Singh
- Eye and Vision Science Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA. .,Department of Physiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ben-David E, Boocock J, Guo L, Zdraljevic S, Bloom JS, Kruglyak L. Whole-organism eQTL mapping at cellular resolution with single-cell sequencing. eLife 2021; 10:e65857. [PMID: 33734084 PMCID: PMC8062134 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic regulation of gene expression underlies variation in disease risk and other complex traits. The effect of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) varies across cell types; however, the complexity of mammalian tissues makes studying cell-type eQTLs highly challenging. We developed a novel approach in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that uses single-cell RNA sequencing to map eQTLs at cellular resolution in a single one-pot experiment. We mapped eQTLs across cell types in an extremely large population of genetically distinct C. elegans individuals. We found cell-type-specific trans eQTL hotspots that affect the expression of core pathways in the relevant cell types. Finally, we found single-cell-specific eQTL effects in the nervous system, including an eQTL with opposite effects in two individual neurons. Our results show that eQTL effects can be specific down to the level of single cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Ben-David
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University School of MedicineJerusalemIsrael
| | - James Boocock
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Longhua Guo
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Stefan Zdraljevic
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Joshua S Bloom
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Leonid Kruglyak
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tataridas-Pallas N, Thompson MA, Howard A, Brown I, Ezcurra M, Wu Z, Silva IG, Saunter CD, Kuerten T, Weinkove D, Blackwell TK, Tullet JMA. Neuronal SKN-1B modulates nutritional signalling pathways and mitochondrial networks to control satiety. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009358. [PMID: 33661901 PMCID: PMC7932105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The feeling of hunger or satiety results from integration of the sensory nervous system with other physiological and metabolic cues. This regulates food intake, maintains homeostasis and prevents disease. In C. elegans, chemosensory neurons sense food and relay information to the rest of the animal via hormones to control food-related behaviour and physiology. Here we identify a new component of this system, SKN-1B which acts as a central food-responsive node, ultimately controlling satiety and metabolic homeostasis. SKN-1B, an ortholog of mammalian NF-E2 related transcription factors (Nrfs), has previously been implicated with metabolism, respiration and the increased lifespan incurred by dietary restriction. Here we show that SKN-1B acts in two hypothalamus-like ASI neurons to sense food, communicate nutritional status to the organism, and control satiety and exploratory behaviours. This is achieved by SKN-1B modulating endocrine signalling pathways (IIS and TGF-β), and by promoting a robust mitochondrial network. Our data suggest a food-sensing and satiety role for mammalian Nrf proteins. Deciding when and how much to eat is important for maintaining health and preventing disease. It requires an intricate molecular level of communication between our nervous, physiological, and metabolic systems. These signals stimulate food intake, and afterwards the feeling of satiety which makes us stop eating. We have studied these phenomena using the simple nematode worm C. elegans which has a fully mapped nervous system and quantifiable food-related behaviours. In C. elegans, chemosensory neurons sense food and communicate this to the rest of the animal via hormones to control food-related behaviour and associated physiological changes. Here we identify a new central node of this system, the C. elegans gene SKN-1B, which acts in two sensory neurons to sense food, communicate food-status to the rest of the worm, and control satiety and exploratory behaviours. It does this by altering hormonal signalling (Insulin and Transforming Growth Factor-β), and by promoting a strong mitochondrial network. The mammalian equivalents of SKN-1B are the NF-E2 related transcription factors (Nrfs), which have previously been implicated with metabolism and respiration. Our data suggest a new food-sensing and satiety role for mammalian Nrf proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander Howard
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Brown
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Marina Ezcurra
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyun Wu
- Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | | | - Timo Kuerten
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - David Weinkove
- Magnitude Biosciences Ltd, NETPark Plexus, Sedgefield, United Kingdom
| | - T. Keith Blackwell
- Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Sinner MP, Masurat F, Ewbank JJ, Pujol N, Bringmann H. Innate Immunity Promotes Sleep through Epidermal Antimicrobial Peptides. Curr Biol 2021; 31:564-577.e12. [PMID: 33259791 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Wounding and infection trigger a protective innate immune response that includes the production of antimicrobial peptides in the affected tissue as well as increased sleep. Little is known, however, how peripheral wounds or innate immunity signal to the nervous system to increase sleep. We found that, during C. elegans larval molting, an epidermal tolloid/bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-1-like protein called NAS-38 promotes sleep. NAS-38 is negatively regulated by its thrombospondin domain and acts through its astacin protease domain to activate p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/PMK-1 kinase and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-SMAD/SMA-3-dependent innate immune pathways in the epidermis that cause STAT/STA-2 and SLC6 (solute carrier)/SNF-12-dependent expression of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes. We show that more than a dozen epidermal AMPs act as somnogens, signaling across tissues to promote sleep through the sleep-active RIS neuron. In the adult, epidermal injury activates innate immunity and turns up AMP production to trigger sleep, a process that requires epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling that is known to promote sleep following cellular stress. We show for one AMP, neuropeptide-like protein (NLP)-29, that it acts through the neuropeptide receptor NPR-12 in locomotion-controlling neurons that are presynaptic to RIS and that depolarize this neuron to induce sleep. Sleep in turn increases the chance of surviving injury. Thus, we found a novel mechanism by which peripheral wounds signal to the nervous system to increase protective sleep. Such a cross-tissue somnogen-signaling function of AMPs might also boost sleep in other animals, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina P Sinner
- BIOTEC, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany; University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Jonathan J Ewbank
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, CIML, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie Pujol
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, CIML, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Henrik Bringmann
- BIOTEC, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany; University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lee S, Lim GE, Kim YN, Koo HS, Shim J. AP2M1 Supports TGF-β Signals to Promote Collagen Expression by Inhibiting Caveolin Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041639. [PMID: 33561975 PMCID: PMC7915421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important for normal development and disease states, including inflammation and fibrosis. To understand the complex regulation of ECM, we performed a suppressor screening using Caenorhabditis elegans expressing the mutant ROL-6 collagen protein. One cuticle mutant has a mutation in dpy-23 that encodes the μ2 adaptin (AP2M1) of clathrin-associated protein complex II (AP-2). The subsequent suppressor screening for dpy-23 revealed the lon-2 mutation. LON-2 functions to regulate body size through negative regulation of the tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway responsible for ECM production. RNA-seq analysis showed a dominant change in the expression of collagen genes and cuticle components. We noted an increase in the cav-1 gene encoding caveolin-1, which functions in clathrin-independent endocytosis. By knockdown of cav-1, the reduced TGF-β signal was significantly restored in the dpy-23 mutant. In conclusion, the dpy-23 mutation upregulated cav-1 expression in the hypodermis, and increased CAV-1 resulted in a decrease of TβRI. Finally, the reduction of collagen expression including rol-6 by the reduced TGF-β signal influenced the cuticle formation of the dpy-23 mutant. These findings could help us to understand the complex process of ECM regulation in organism development and disease conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saerom Lee
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Goyang-si 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (S.L.); (G.-E.L.); (Y.-N.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei University, 50, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Ga-Eun Lim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Goyang-si 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (S.L.); (G.-E.L.); (Y.-N.K.)
| | - Yong-Nyun Kim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Goyang-si 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (S.L.); (G.-E.L.); (Y.-N.K.)
| | - Hyeon-Sook Koo
- Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei University, 50, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.-S.K.); (J.S.); Tel.: +82-2-2123-2695 (H.-S.K.); +82-31-920-2262 (J.S.)
| | - Jaegal Shim
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Goyang-si 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (S.L.); (G.-E.L.); (Y.-N.K.)
- Correspondence: (H.-S.K.); (J.S.); Tel.: +82-2-2123-2695 (H.-S.K.); +82-31-920-2262 (J.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
SMA-10 Is a Non-Canonical Member of the TGF-β Sma/Mab Pathway and Immunity Regulator via the DAF-2 Insulin Receptor in Caenorhabditis elegans. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020638. [PMID: 33440633 PMCID: PMC7827673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signalling pathways are highly conserved across metazoa and play essential roles not only during development but also in adult tissue maintenance. Alterations of these pathways usually result in a plethora of pathologies. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the TGF-β Sma/Mab (small/male abnormal) pathway regulates various worm phenotypes such as body size, immune response, ageing, matricide and reproductive span. SMA-10 has been described as a positive modulator of worm body size through the TGF-β Sma/Mab pathway. To better understand if SMA-10 is a core component of the pathway, we use gene epistatic analysis to assess the contribution of SMA-10 to various phenotypes regulated by TGF-β Sma/Mab. We confirm that SMA-10 controls body size and find that it also affects the matricide and reproductive span of the nematodes. However, neither male tail formation (previously reported) nor ageing appeared altered. Lastly, although null sma-10 worms are more susceptible to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections than wild-types, this response does not depend on TGF-β Sma/Mab but on the insulin receptor DAF-2. We also show that the expression of sma-10 in either hypodermis or intestine fully rescues the wild-type immune response. Our results contribute to understanding the role of SMA-10 as a context-dependent component of TGF-β Sma/Mab, and reveal a function of SMA-10 in immunity in association to the Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling (IIS) pathway.
Collapse
|
34
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Li F, Qin P, Ye L, Gupta N, Hu M. A novel BR-SMAD is required for larval development in barber's pole worm Haemonchus contortus. MICROBIAL CELL 2020; 8:57-64. [PMID: 33553419 PMCID: PMC7841850 DOI: 10.15698/mic2021.02.742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
SMAD proteins mediate TGF-β signaling and thereby regulate the metazoan development; however, they are poorly defined in Haemonchus contortus–a common blood-sucking parasitic nematode of small ruminants. Here, we characterized an R-SMAD family protein in H. contortus termed HcSMA2, which is closely related to Caenorhabditis elegans SMA2 (CeSMA2) involved in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Hcsma2 is transcribed in all developmental stages of H. contortus but highly induced in the adult male worms. The RNA interference with Hcsma2 retarded the transition of infective L3 into L4 larvae. Besides, the bimolecular fluorescence complementation revealed the interaction of HcSMA2 with a TGF-β-activated-R-SMAD (HcDAF8). Together these results show a BMP-like receptor-regulated SMAD in H. contortus that is required for larval differentiation and underscore an adaptive functional repurposing of BMP-signaling in parasitic worms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Peixi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisha Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Nishith Gupta
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (BITS-P), Hyderabad, India
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Liu H, Zhang R, Wang D. Response of DBL-1/TGF-β signaling-mediated neuron-intestine communication to nanopolystyrene in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 745:141047. [PMID: 32758726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
TGF-β signaling pathway is important for the regulation of stress response in organisms. We here used Caenorhabditis elegans to determine the function of DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway in the control of response to nanopolystyrene (100 nm). In DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway, exposure to 1-1000 μg/L nanopolystyrene significantly increased the expressions of dbl-1 encoding a TGF-β ligand, sma-6 encoding a TGF-β receptor, sma-4 encoding a Co-Smad, and two genes (mab-31 and sma-9) encoding transcriptional factors. DBL-1 acted in the neurons to control the response to nanopolystyrene. In the neurons, the expression and the function of DBL-1 were under the control of two signaling cascades (SMOC-1-ZAG-1 and SMOC-1-ADT-2). TGF-β receptor SMA-6 acted in the intestine to control the response to nanopolystyrene. The downstream Co-Smad/SMA-4 and two transcriptional factors (MAB-31 and SMA-9) of SMA-6 in the intestine were further identified to be required for the control of response to nanopolystyrene. In nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes, intestinal MAB-31 activated the mitochondrial Mn-SOD/SOD-3 by modulating DAF-16 activity, and intestinal SMA-9 activated the mitochondrial unfolded protein response by affecting ELT-2 activity. Therefore, the DBL-1/TGF-β signaling pathway mediated an important neuron-intestine communication in nanopolystyrene exposed nematodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruijie Zhang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Shenzhen Ruipuxun Academy for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen 518122, China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Bosch PJ, Peek SL, Smolikove S, Weiner JA. Akirin proteins in development and disease: critical roles and mechanisms of action. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:4237-4254. [PMID: 32361777 PMCID: PMC7606436 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03531-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Akirin genes, which encode small, nuclear proteins, were first characterized in 2008 in Drosophila and rodents. Early studies demonstrated important roles in immune responses and tumorigenesis, which subsequent work found to be highly conserved. More recently, a multiplicity of Akirin functions, and the associated molecular mechanisms involved, have been uncovered. Here, we comprehensively review what is known about invertebrate Akirin and its two vertebrate homologues Akirin1 and Akirin2, highlighting their role in regulating gene expression changes across a number of biological systems. We detail essential roles for Akirin family proteins in the development of the brain, limb, and muscle, in meiosis, and in tumorigenesis, emphasizing associated signaling pathways. We describe data supporting the hypothesis that Akirins act as a "bridge" between a variety of transcription factors and major chromatin remodeling complexes, and discuss several important questions remaining to be addressed. In little more than a decade, Akirin proteins have gone from being completely unknown to being increasingly recognized as evolutionarily conserved mediators of gene expression programs essential for the formation and function of animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Bosch
- Department of Biology and Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 143 Biology Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Stacey L Peek
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biology and Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 143 Biology Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Sarit Smolikove
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, 143 Biology Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Joshua A Weiner
- Department of Biology and Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 143 Biology Building, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Robert VJ, Knutson AK, Rechtsteiner A, Garvis S, Yvert G, Strome S, Palladino F. Caenorhabditis elegans SET1/COMPASS Maintains Germline Identity by Preventing Transcriptional Deregulation Across Generations. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:561791. [PMID: 33072747 PMCID: PMC7536326 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.561791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin regulators contribute to the maintenance of the germline transcriptional program. In the absence of SET-2, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of the SET1/COMPASS H3 Lys4 (H3K4) methyltransferase, animals show transgenerational loss of germline identity, leading to sterility. To identify transcriptional signatures associated with progressive loss of fertility, we performed expression profiling of set-2 mutant germlines across generations. We identify a subset of genes whose misexpression is first observed in early generations, a step we refer to as priming; their misexpression then further progresses in late generations, as animals reach sterility. Analysis of misregulated genes shows that down-regulation of germline genes, expression of somatic transcriptional programs, and desilencing of the X-chromosome are concurrent events leading to loss of germline identity in both early and late generations. Upregulation of transcription factor LIN-15B, the C/EBP homolog CEBP-1, and TGF-β pathway components strongly contribute to loss of fertility, and RNAi inactivation of cebp-1 and TGF-β/Smad signaling delays the onset of sterility, showing they individually contribute to maintenance of germ cell identity. Our approach therefore identifies genes and pathways whose misexpression actively contributes to the loss of germ cell fate. More generally, our data shows how loss of a chromatin regulator in one generation leads to transcriptional changes that are amplified over subsequent generations, ultimately leading to loss of appropriate cell fate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valérie J Robert
- Laboratory of Biology and Modeling of the Cell, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Andrew K Knutson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
| | - Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
| | - Steven Garvis
- Laboratory of Biology and Modeling of the Cell, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Gaël Yvert
- Laboratory of Biology and Modeling of the Cell, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Susan Strome
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
| | - Francesca Palladino
- Laboratory of Biology and Modeling of the Cell, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hwang HY, Dankovich L, Wang J. Thermotolerance of tax-2 Is Uncoupled From Life Span Extension and Influenced by Temperature During Development in C. elegans. Front Genet 2020; 11:566948. [PMID: 33133151 PMCID: PMC7573314 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.566948] [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: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermotolerance of an organism is a complex trait that is influenced by a multitude of genetic and environmental factors. Many factors controlling thermotolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans are known to extend life. To understand the regulation of thermotolerance, we performed a genetic screen for mutants with better survival at warm temperature. Here we identified by dauer survival a tax-2 mutation and several mutations disrupting an insulin signaling pathway including the daf-2 gene. While the tax-2 mutant has improved thermotolerance and long life span, the newly identified daf-2 and other insulin signaling mutants, unlike the canonical daf-2(e1370), do not show improved thermotolerance despite being long-lived. Examination of tax-2 mutations and their mutant phenotypes suggest that the control of thermotolerance is not coupled with the control of life span or dauer survival. With genetic interaction studies, we concluded that tax-2 has complex roles in life span and dauer survival and that tax-2 is a negative regulator of thermotolerance independent of other known thermotolerance genes including those in the insulin signaling pathway. Moreover, cold growth temperature during development weakens the improved thermotolerance associated with tax-2 and other thermotolerance-inducing mutations. Together, this study reveals previously unknown genetic and environmental factors controlling thermotolerance and their complex relationship with life span regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Yon Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Laura Dankovich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jiou Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Nagata A, Itoh F, Sasho A, Sugita K, Suzuki R, Hinata H, Shimoda Y, Suzuki E, Maemoto Y, Inagawa T, Fujikawa Y, Ikeda E, Fujii C, Inoue H. The evolutionarily conserved deubiquitinase UBH1/UCH-L1 augments DAF7/TGF-β signaling, inhibits dauer larva formation, and enhances lung tumorigenesis. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9105-9120. [PMID: 32371398 PMCID: PMC7335803 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Modification of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling components by (de)ubiquitination is emerging as a key regulatory mechanism that controls cell signaling responses in health and disease. Here, we show that the deubiquitinating enzyme UBH-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans and its human homolog, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), stimulate DAF-7/TGF-β signaling, suggesting that this mode of regulation of TGF-β signaling is conserved across animal species. The dauer larva-constitutive C. elegans phenotype caused by defective DAF-7/TGF-β signaling was enhanced and suppressed, respectively, by ubh-1 deletion and overexpression in the loss-of-function genetic backgrounds of daf7, daf-1/TGF-βRI, and daf4/R-SMAD, but not of daf-8/R-SMAD. This suggested that UBH-1 may stimulate DAF-7/TGF-β signaling via DAF-8/R-SMAD. Therefore, we investigated the effect of UCH-L1 on TGF-β signaling via its intracellular effectors, i.e. SMAD2 and SMAD3, in mammalian cells. Overexpression of UCH-L1, but not of UCH-L3 (the other human homolog of UBH1) or of the catalytic mutant UCH-L1C90A, enhanced TGF-β/SMAD-induced transcriptional activity, indicating that the deubiquitination activity of UCH-L1 is indispensable for enhancing TGF-β/SMAD signaling. We also found that UCH-L1 interacts, deubiquitinates, and stabilizes SMAD2 and SMAD3. Under hypoxia, UCH-L1 expression increased and TGF-β/SMAD signaling was potentiated in the A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Notably, UCH-L1-deficient A549 cells were impaired in tumorigenesis, and, unlike WT UCH-L1, a UCH-L1 variant lacking deubiquitinating activity was unable to restore tumorigenesis in these cells. These results indicate that UCH-L1 activity supports DAF-7/TGF-β signaling and suggest that UCH-L1's deubiquitination activity is a potential therapeutic target for managing lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asami Nagata
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiko Itoh
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ayaka Sasho
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaho Sugita
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Riko Suzuki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Hinata
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Shimoda
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Suzuki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Maemoto
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Inagawa
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuuta Fujikawa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Ikeda
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiaki Fujii
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideshi Inoue
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
He L, Liu H, Zhang BY, Li FF, Di WD, Wang CQ, Zhou CX, Liu L, Li TT, Zhang T, Fang R, Hu M. A daf-7-related TGF-β ligand (Hc-tgh-2) shows important regulations on the development of Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:326. [PMID: 32586367 PMCID: PMC7318536 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04196-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In most multicellular organisms, the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway is involved in regulating the growth and stem cell differentiation. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of three key molecules in this pathway in the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus, including one TGF-β type I receptor (Hc-tgfbr1), one TGF-β type II receptor (Hc-tgfbr2), and one co-Smad (Hc-daf-3), which regulated the developmental transition from the free-living to the parasitic stages of this parasite. However, almost nothing is known about the function of the TGF-β ligand (Hc-tgh-2) of H. contortus. METHODS Here, the temporal transcription profiles of Hc-tgh-2 at eight different developmental stages and spatial expression patterns of Hc-TGH-2 in adult female and male worms of H. contortus have been examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In addition, RNA interference (RNAi) by soaking was employed to assess the importance of Hc-tgh-2 in the development from exsheathed third-stage larvae (xL3s) to fourth-stage larvae (L4s) in H. contortus. RESULTS Hc-tgh-2 was continuously transcribed in all eight developmental stages of H. contortus studied with the highest level in the infective third-stage larvae (iL3) and Hc-TGH-2 was located in the muscle of the body wall, intestine, ovary of adult females and testes of adult males. Silencing Hc-tgh-2 by the specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), decreased the transcript level of Hc-tgh-2 and resulted in fewer xL3s developing to L4s in vitro. CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that the TGF-β ligand, Hc-TGH-2, could play important roles in the developmental transition from the free-living (L3s) to the parasitic stage (L4s). Furthermore, it may also take part in the processes such as digestion, absorption, host immune response and reproductive development in H. contortus adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Bi-Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Fang-Fang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Wen-Da Di
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Chun-Qun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Cai-Xian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Lu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory for the Development of Veterinary Products, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
C. elegans Males Integrate Food Signals and Biological Sex to Modulate State-Dependent Chemosensation and Behavioral Prioritization. Curr Biol 2020; 30:2695-2706.e4. [PMID: 32531276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic integration of internal and external cues is essential for flexible, adaptive behavior. In C. elegans, biological sex and feeding state regulate expression of the food-associated chemoreceptor odr-10, contributing to plasticity in food detection and the decision between feeding and exploration. In adult hermaphrodites, odr-10 expression is high, but in well-fed adult males, odr-10 expression is low, promoting exploratory mate-searching behavior. Food-deprivation transiently activates male odr-10 expression, heightening food sensitivity and reducing food leaving. Here, we identify a neuroendocrine feedback loop that sex-specifically regulates odr-10 in response to food deprivation. In well-fed males, insulin-like (insulin/IGF-1 signaling [IIS]) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling repress odr-10 expression. Upon food deprivation, odr-10 is directly activated by DAF-16/FoxO, the canonical C. elegans IIS effector. The TGF-β ligand DAF-7 likely acts upstream of IIS and links feeding to odr-10 only in males, due in part to the male-specific expression of daf-7 in ASJ. Surprisingly, these responses to food deprivation are not triggered by internal metabolic cues but rather by the loss of sensory signals associated with food. When males are starved in the presence of inedible food, they become nutritionally stressed, but odr-10 expression remains low and exploratory behavior is suppressed less than in starved control males. Food signals are detected by a small number of sensory neurons whose activity non-autonomously regulates daf-7 expression, IIS, and odr-10. Thus, adult C. elegans males employ a neuroendocrine feedback loop that integrates food detection and genetic sex to dynamically modulate chemoreceptor expression and influence the feeding-versus-exploration decision.
Collapse
|
43
|
Ayoade KO, Carranza FR, Cho WH, Wang Z, Kliewer SA, Mangelsdorf DJ, Stoltzfus JDC. Dafachronic acid and temperature regulate canonical dauer pathways during Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infectious larvae activation. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:162. [PMID: 32238181 PMCID: PMC7110753 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04035-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While immune responses to the murine hookworm Nippostrongylus brasiliensis have been investigated, signaling pathways regulating development of infectious larvae (iL3) are not well understood. We hypothesized that N. brasiliensis would use pathways similar to those controlling dauer development in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which is formally known as the "dauer hypothesis." METHODS To investigate whether dafachronic acid activates the N. brasiliensis DAF-12 homolog, we utilized an in vitro reporter assay. We then utilized RNA-Seq and subsequent bioinformatic analyses to identify N. brasiliensis dauer pathway homologs and examine regulation of these genes during iL3 activation. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrated that dafachronic acid activates the N. brasiliensis DAF-12 homolog. We then identified N. brasiliensis homologs for members in each of the four canonical dauer pathways and examined their regulation during iL3 activation by either temperature or dafachronic acid. Similar to C. elegans, we found that transcripts encoding antagonistic insulin-like peptides were significantly downregulated during iL3 activation, and that a transcript encoding a phylogenetic homolog of DAF-9 increased during iL3 activation, suggesting that both increased insulin-like and DAF-12 nuclear hormone receptor signaling accompanies iL3 activation. In contrast to C. elegans, we observed a significant decrease in transcripts encoding the dauer transforming growth factor beta ligand DAF-7 during iL3 activation, suggesting a different role for this pathway in parasitic nematode development. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that canonical dauer pathways indeed regulate iL3 activation in the hookworm N. brasiliensis and that DAF-12 may be a therapeutic target in hookworm infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Omueti Ayoade
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Faith R. Carranza
- Department of Biology, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Millersville, PA 17551 USA
| | - Woong Hee Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Zhu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Steven A. Kliewer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - David J. Mangelsdorf
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390 USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Madaan U, Faure L, Chowdhury A, Ahmed S, Ciccarelli EJ, Gumienny TL, Savage-Dunn C. Feedback regulation of BMP signaling by Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle collagens. Mol Biol Cell 2020; 31:825-832. [PMID: 32049594 PMCID: PMC7185965 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-07-0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular responsiveness to environment, including changes in extracellular matrix (ECM), is critical for normal processes such as development and wound healing, but can go awry, as in oncogenesis and fibrosis. One type of molecular pathway contributing to this responsiveness is the BMP signaling pathway. Owing to their broad and potent functions, BMPs and their pathways are regulated at multiple levels. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the BMP ligand DBL-1 is a regulator of body size. We previously showed that DBL-1/BMP signaling determines body size through transcriptional regulation of cuticle collagen genes. We now identify feedback regulation of DBL-1/BMP through analysis of four DBL-1–regulated collagen genes. Inactivation of any of these genes reduces DBL-1/BMP signaling, measured by a pathway activity reporter. Furthermore, depletion of these collagens reduces GFP::DBL-1 fluorescence and acts unexpectedly at the level of dbl-1 transcription. We conclude that cuticle, a specialized ECM, impinges on DBL-1/BMP expression and signaling. Interestingly, the feedback regulation of DBL-1/BMP signaling by collagens is likely to be contact independent due to physical separation of the cuticle from DBL-1–expressing cells in the ventral nerve cord. Our results provide an entry point into a novel regulatory mechanism for BMP signaling, with broader implications for mechanical regulation of gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uday Madaan
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367.,PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY 10016
| | - Lionel Faure
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204
| | - Albar Chowdhury
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367
| | - Shahrear Ahmed
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367
| | - Emma J Ciccarelli
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367.,PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY 10016
| | - Tina L Gumienny
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204
| | - Cathy Savage-Dunn
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367.,PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY 10016
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hu M, Crossman D, Prasain JK, Miller MA, Serra RA. Transcriptomic Profiling of DAF-7/TGFβ Pathway Mutants in C. elegans. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E288. [PMID: 32182864 PMCID: PMC7140792 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor beta superfamily encompasses a large family of ligands that are well conserved across many organisms. They are regulators of a number of physiological and pathological processes. The model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been instrumental in identifying key components of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway. In C. elegans, the TGFβ homolog DAF-7 signals through the DAF-1 Type I and DAF-4 Type II receptors to phosphorylate downstream R-SMADs DAF-8 and DAF-14. These R-SMADs translocate into the nucleus to inhibit Co-SMAD DAF-3. Many of the roles of the canonical DAF-7 pathway, involving both DAF-1 and DAF-3, have been identified using targeted genetic studies. Few have assessed the global transcriptomic changes in response to these genes, especially in adult animals. In this study, we performed RNA sequencing on wild type, daf-1, and daf-1; daf-3 adult hermaphrodites. To assess the overall trends of the data, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and performed gene ontology analysis to identify the types of downstream genes that are differentially expressed. Hierarchical clustering showed that the daf-1; daf-3 double mutants are transcriptionally more similar to wild type than daf-1 mutants. Analysis of the DEGs showed a disproportionally high number of genes whose expression is increased in daf-1 mutants, suggesting that DAF-1 acts as a general repressor of gene expression in wild type animals. Gene ontology analysis of the DEGs produced many significantly enriched terms, including Molting Cycle, Response to Topologically Incorrect Protein, and Response to Biotic Stimulus. Understanding the direct and indirect targets of the DAF-7 TGFβ pathway through this RNA-seq dataset can provide insight into novel roles of the multifunctional signaling pathway, as well as identify novel genes that may participate in previously reported functions of TGFβ signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhan Hu
- Department of Cell Development and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (M.A.M.); (R.A.S.)
| | - David Crossman
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Jeevan K. Prasain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Michael A. Miller
- Department of Cell Development and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (M.A.M.); (R.A.S.)
| | - Rosa A. Serra
- Department of Cell Development and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (M.A.M.); (R.A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Tetraspanins TSP-12 and TSP-14 function redundantly to regulate the trafficking of the type II BMP receptor in Caenorhabditis elegans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:2968-2977. [PMID: 31988138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1918807117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetraspanins are a unique family of 4-pass transmembrane proteins that play important roles in a variety of cell biological processes. We have previously shown that 2 paralogous tetraspanins in Caenorhabditis elegans, TSP-12 and TSP-14, function redundantly to promote bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. The underlying molecular mechanisms, however, are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the expression and subcellular localization patterns of endogenously tagged TSP-12 and TSP-14 proteins. We found that TSP-12 and TSP-14 share overlapping expression patterns in multiple cell types, and that both proteins are localized on the cell surface and in various types of endosomes, including early, late, and recycling endosomes. Animals lacking both TSP-12 and TSP-14 exhibit reduced cell-surface levels of the BMP type II receptor DAF-4/BMPRII, along with impaired endosome morphology and mislocalization of DAF-4/BMPRII to late endosomes and lysosomes. These findings indicate that TSP-12 and TSP-14 are required for the recycling of DAF-4/BMPRII. Together with previous findings that the type I receptor SMA-6 is recycled via the retromer complex, our work demonstrates the involvement of distinct recycling pathways for the type I and type II BMP receptors and highlights the importance of tetraspanin-mediated intracellular trafficking in the regulation of BMP signaling in vivo. As TSP-12 and TSP-14 are conserved in mammals, our findings suggest that the mammalian TSP-12 and TSP-14 homologs may also function in regulating transmembrane protein recycling and BMP signaling.
Collapse
|
47
|
Elucidating the molecular and developmental biology of parasitic nematodes: Moving to a multiomics paradigm. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 108:175-229. [PMID: 32291085 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the sequencing, assembly, annotation and analyses of genomes and transcriptomes of parasitic worms of socioeconomic importance. This progress has somewhat improved our knowledge and understanding of these pathogens at the molecular level. However, compared with the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the areas of functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics of parasitic nematodes are still in their infancy, and there are major gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the molecular biology of parasitic nematodes. The information on signalling molecules, molecular pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) that are known to be involved in developmental processes in C. elegans and the availability of some molecular resources (draft genomes, transcriptomes and some proteomes) for selected parasitic nematodes provide a basis to start exploring the developmental biology of parasitic nematodes. Indeed, some studies have identified molecules and pathways that might associate with developmental processes in related, parasitic nematodes, such as Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm). However, detailed information is often scant and 'omics resources are limited, preventing a proper integration of 'omic data sets and comprehensive analyses. Moreover, little is known about the functional roles of pheromones, hormones, signalling pathways and post-transcriptional/post-translational regulations in the development of key parasitic nematodes throughout their entire life cycles. Although C. elegans is an excellent model to assist molecular studies of parasitic nematodes, its use is limited when it comes to explorations of processes that are specific to parasitism within host animals. A deep understanding of parasitic nematodes, such as H. contortus, requires substantially enhanced resources and the use of integrative 'omics approaches for analyses. The improved genome and well-established in vitro larval culture system for H. contortus provide unprecedented opportunities for comprehensive studies of the transcriptomes (mRNA and miRNA), proteomes (somatic, excretory/secretory and phosphorylated proteins) and lipidomes (e.g., polar and neutral lipids) of this nematode. Such resources should enable in-depth explorations of its developmental biology at a level, not previously possible. The main aims of this review are (i) to provide a background on the development of nematodes, with a particular emphasis on the molecular aspects involved in the dauer formation and exit in C. elegans; (ii) to critically appraise the current state of knowledge of the developmental biology of parasitic nematodes and identify key knowledge gaps; (iii) to cover salient aspects of H. contortus, with a focus on the recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and lipidomics as well as in vitro culturing systems; (iv) to review recent advances in our knowledge and understanding of the molecular and developmental biology of H. contortus using an integrative multiomics approach, and discuss the implications of this approach for detailed explorations of signalling molecules, molecular processes and pathways likely associated with nematode development, adaptation and parasitism, and for the identification of novel intervention targets against these pathogens. Clearly, the multiomics approach established recently is readily applicable to exploring a wide range of interesting and socioeconomically significant parasitic worms (including also trematodes and cestodes) at the molecular level, and to elucidate host-parasite interactions and disease processes.
Collapse
|
48
|
Effects of excess sugars and lipids on the growth and development of Caenorhabditis elegans. GENES AND NUTRITION 2020; 15:1. [PMID: 32015763 PMCID: PMC6988283 DOI: 10.1186/s12263-020-0659-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Excessive intake of carbohydrates and fats causes over-nutrition, leading to a variety of diseases and complications. Here, we characterized the effects of different types of sugar and lipids on the growth and development of Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods We measured the lifespan, reproductive capacity, and length of nematodes after sugars and lipids treatment alone and co-treatment of sugars and lipids. Furthermore, we studied the mechanisms underlying the damage caused by high-sucrose and high-stearic acid on C.elegans by using transcriptome sequencing technology. Results The results showed that a certain concentration of sugar and lipid promoted the growth and development of nematodes. However, excessive sugars and lipids shortened the lifespan and length of nematodes and destroyed their reproductive capacity. Based on the results of the orthogonal test, we selected 400 mmol/L sucrose and 500 μg/mL stearic acid to model a high-sugar and high-lipid diet for C. elegans. Conclusion High-sugar and high-lipid intake altered the expression of genes involved in biofilm synthesis, genes that catalyze the synthesis and degradation of endogenous substances, and genes involved in innate immunity, resulting in physiological damage. Furthermore, we explored the protective effect of resveratrol on high-sugar and high-lipid damage to nematodes. Resveratrol plays a role in repairing by participating in the metabolism of foreign substances and reducing cellular oxidative stress.
Collapse
|
49
|
Akirin Is Required for Muscle Function and Acts Through the TGF-β Sma/Mab Signaling Pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans Development. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:387-400. [PMID: 31767636 PMCID: PMC6945016 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Akirin, a conserved metazoan protein, functions in muscle development in flies and mice. However, this was only tested in the rodent and fly model systems. Akirin was shown to act with chromatin remodeling complexes in transcription and was established as a downstream target of the NFκB pathway. Here we show a role for Caenorhabditis elegans Akirin/AKIR-1 in the muscle and body length regulation through a different pathway. Akirin localizes to somatic tissues throughout the body of C. elegans, including muscle nuclei. In agreement with its role in other model systems, Akirin loss of function mutants exhibit defects in muscle development in the embryo, as well as defects in movement and maintenance of muscle integrity in the C. elegans adult. We also have determined that Akirin acts downstream of the TGF-β Sma/Mab signaling pathway in controlling body size. Moreover, we found that the loss of Akirin resulted in an increase in autophagy markers, similar to mutants in the TGF-β Sma/Mab signaling pathway. In contrast to what is known in rodent and fly models, C. elegans Akirin does not act with the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex, and is instead involved with the NuRD chromatin remodeling complex in both movement and regulation of body size. Our studies define a novel developmental role (body size) and a new pathway (TGF-β Sma/Mab) for Akirin function, and confirmed its evolutionarily conserved function in muscle development in a new organism.
Collapse
|
50
|
Singh J, Aballay A. Neural control of behavioral and molecular defenses in C. elegans. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2019; 62:34-40. [PMID: 31812835 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The nervous and immune systems use bi-directional communication to control host responses against microbial pathogens. Recent studies at the interface of the two systems have highlighted important roles of the nervous system in the regulation of both microbicidal pathways and pathogen avoidance behaviors. Studies on the neural circuits in the simple model host Caenorhabditis elegans have significantly improved our understanding of the roles of conserved neural mechanisms in controlling innate immunity. Moreover, behavioral studies have advanced our understanding of how the nervous system may sense potential pathogens and consequently elicit pathogen avoidance, reducing the risk of infection. In this review, we discuss the neural circuits that regulate both behavioral immunity and molecular immunity in C. elegans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jogender Singh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Alejandro Aballay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
| |
Collapse
|