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Wang E, Jiang Y, Zhao C. Structural and physiological functions of Caenorhabditis elegans epidermis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e38680. [PMID: 39397934 PMCID: PMC11471208 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 09/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on the skin is continuously evolving, and it is imperative to select a streamlined and efficient research model. Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-leaving nematode whose epidermis serves as the primary barrier epithelium, composed of a collagen matrix. Differentiation of the epidermis begins in the middle of embryonic development, including polarization of the cytoskeleton and formation of cell junctions. Cuticle secretion is one of the main developmental and physiological features of the epidermis. Mutations in the collagen genes of individual worms lead to cuticle defects, thereby changing the shape of the animals. The complete genome sequence of C. elegans indicates that more than 170 different collagen genes may be related to this structure. Collagen is a structural protein that plays an important role in the development of extracellular matrix. Different collagen genes are expressed at different stages of matrix synthesis, which may help form specific interactions between different collagens. The differentiated epidermis also plays a key role in the transmission of hormonal signals, fat storage, and ion homeostasis and is closely related to the development and function of the nervous system. The epidermis also provides passive and active defenses against pathogens that penetrate the skin and can repair wounds. In addition, age-dependent epidermal degeneration is a prominent feature of aging and may affect aging and lifespan. This review we highlight recent findings of the structure and related physiological functions of the cuticle of C. elegans. In contrast to previous studies, we offer novel insights into the utilization of C. elegans as valuable models for skin-related investigations. It also encourages the use of C. elegans as a skin model, and its high-throughput screening properties facilitate the acceleration of fundamental research in skin-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enhui Wang
- Beijing Qingyan Boshi Health Management Co., Ltd, No.8, Hangfeng Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfei Jiang
- Beijing Qingyan Boshi Health Management Co., Ltd, No.8, Hangfeng Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyue Zhao
- Beijing Qingyan Boshi Health Management Co., Ltd, No.8, Hangfeng Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
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Zhu Y, Li Y, Wang Y, Wang L, Shi P, Du X, Zhang Y, Song Y, Zhu Z. Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in COX1 affect the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans through nuclear gene dct-15. Gene 2022; 845:146776. [PMID: 36063972 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146776] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are closely related to age and age-related complex diseases, but the exact regulatory mechanism of mtDNA natural variation or polymorphism and ageing remains unclear. Recently, nuclear genes that regulate mitochondrial functions and thereby influence ageing have been widely studied. In this study, the relationship between the retrograde communication from the mitochondria to the nucleus and its ultimate effect on ageing has been elucidated. This study found that the natural variations in COX1 of the mitochondria in the Caenorhabditis elegans population do not correlate with multiple phenotypes, except for a mild correlation with lifespan. After excluding the differences in the nuclear genome, the correlation between natural mitochondrial variation and lifespan increased significantly. Moreover, mtDNA variation downregulated the nuclear dct-15 gene expression, which consequently reduced the lifespan, development rate and motility of C. elegans. dct-15 mutations decreased mitochondria copy number but increased ATP content and mitochondrial ultrastructure. Thus, the results indicated that dct-15 interacted with the mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in COX1 and is associated with ageing. Finally, bioinformatic analyses revealed that mtDNA variation regulated the structural constituent of the cuticle via dct-15 and suggested that the structural constituent of the cuticle could have an important role in the development and ageing processes. These results provide insights into the mtDNA mechanism that can alter the nuclear gene and thereby regulate ageing and ageing-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhu
- Xuzhou Engineering Research Center of Medical Genetics and Transformation, Key Laboratory of Genetic Foundation and Clinical Application, Department of Genetics, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Medical Technology College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | | | - Liang Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Medical Informatics and Engineering, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Peng Shi
- School of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xinze Du
- The First Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yingchun Zhang
- Xuzhou Engineering Research Center of Medical Genetics and Transformation, Key Laboratory of Genetic Foundation and Clinical Application, Department of Genetics, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuanjian Song
- Xuzhou Engineering Research Center of Medical Genetics and Transformation, Key Laboratory of Genetic Foundation and Clinical Application, Department of Genetics, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
| | - Zuobin Zhu
- Xuzhou Engineering Research Center of Medical Genetics and Transformation, Key Laboratory of Genetic Foundation and Clinical Application, Department of Genetics, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
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Feng P, Xie Q, Liu Z, Guo Z, Tang R, Yu Q. Study on the Reparative Effect of PEGylated Growth Hormone on Ovarian Parameters and Mitochondrial Function of Oocytes From Rats With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:649005. [PMID: 33791307 PMCID: PMC8005617 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.649005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a heterogeneous disorder and lacks effective interventions in clinical applications. This research aimed to elucidate the potential effects of recombinant human PEGylated growth hormone (rhGH) on follicular development and mitochondrial function in oocytes as well as ovarian parameters in POI rats induced by the chemotherapeutic agent. The impacts of rhGH on ovarian function before superovulation on follicles, estrous cycle, and sex hormones were evaluated. Oocytes were retrieved to determine oocyte quality and oxidative stress parameters. Single-cell sequencing was applied to investigate the latent regulatory network. This study provides new evidence that a high dosage of rhGH increased the number of retrieved oocytes even though it did not completely restore the disturbed estrous cycle and sex hormones. rhGH attenuated the apoptosis of granulosa cells and oxidative stress response caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial superoxide. Additionally, rhGH modulated the energy metabolism of oocytes concerning the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content but not mtDNA copy numbers. Based on single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we found that rhGH directly or indirectly promoted the balance of oxidative stress and cellular oxidant detoxification. Four hub genes, Pxmp4, Ehbp1, Mt-cyb, and Enpp6, were identified to be closely related to the repair process in oocytes as potential targets for POI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiu Xie
- Department of Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Laboratory of Clinical Genetics Medical Science Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zaixin Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiyi Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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