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van Wijk MH, Davies AG, Sterken MG, Mathies LD, Quamme EC, Blackwell GG, Riksen JAG, Kammenga JE, Bettinger JC. Natural allelic variation modifies acute ethanol response phenotypes in wild strains of C. elegans. Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken) 2023; 47:1505-1517. [PMID: 37356915 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic variation contributes to the likelihood that an individual will develop an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Traditional laboratory studies in animal models have elucidated the molecular pharmacology of ethanol, but laboratory-derived genetic manipulations rarely model the naturally occurring genetic variation observed in wild populations. Rather, these manipulations are biased toward identifying genes of central importance in the phenotypes. Because changes in such genes can confer selective disadvantages, they are not ideal candidates for carrying AUD risk alleles in humans. We sought to exploit Caenorhabditis elegans to identify allelic variation existing in the wild that modulates ethanol response behaviors. METHODS We tested the acute ethanol responses of four strains recently isolated from the wild (JU1511, JU1926, JU1931, and JU1941) and 41 multiparental recombinant inbred lines (mpRILs) derived from them. We assessed locomotion at 10, 30, and 50 min on low and high ethanol concentrations. We performed principal component analyses (PCA) on the different phenotypes, tested for transgressive behavior, calculated heritability, and determined the correlations between behavioral responses. RESULTS We observed a range of responses to ethanol across the strains. We detected a low-concentration locomotor activation effect in some of the mpRILs not seen in the laboratory wild-type strain. PCA showed different ethanol response behaviors to be independent. We observed transgressive behavior for many of the measured phenotypes and found that multiple behaviors were uncorrelated. The average broad-sense heritability for all phenotypes was 23.2%. CONCLUSIONS Genetic variation significantly affects multiple acute ethanol response behaviors, many of which are independent of one another. This suggests that the genetic variation captured by these strains likely affects multiple biological mechanisms through which ethanol acts. Further study of these strains may allow these distinct mechanisms to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke H van Wijk
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew G Davies
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura D Mathies
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Quamme
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - GinaMari G Blackwell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jill C Bettinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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van Wijk MH, Riksen JAG, Elvin M, Poulin GB, Maulana MI, Kammenga JE, Snoek BL, Sterken MG. Cryptic genetic variation of eQTL architecture revealed by genetic perturbation in C. elegans. G3 (Bethesda) 2023; 13:7067301. [PMID: 36861370 PMCID: PMC10151397 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Genetic perturbation in different genetic backgrounds can cause a range of phenotypes within a species. These phenotypic differences can be the result of the interaction between the genetic background and the perturbation. Previously we reported that perturbation of gld-1, an important player in developmental control of C. elegans, released cryptic genetic variation affecting fitness in different genetic backgrounds. Here we investigated the change in transcriptional architecture. We found 414 genes with a cis-eQTL and 991 genes with a trans-eQTL that were specifically found in the gld-1 RNAi treatment. In total, we detected 16 eQTL-hotspots, of which 7 were only found in the gld-1 RNAi treatment. Enrichment analysis of those 7 hotspots showed that the regulated genes were associated with neurons and the pharynx. Furthermore, we found evidence of accelerated transcriptional aging in the gld-1 RNAi treated nematodes. Overall, our results illustrate that studying CGV leads to the discovery of hidden polymorphic regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke H van Wijk
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Elvin
- Peak Proteins, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Gino B Poulin
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad I Maulana
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Basten L Snoek
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Karengera A, Verburg I, Sterken MG, Riksen JAG, Murk AJ, Dinkla IJT. Determining Toxic Potencies of Water-Soluble Contaminants in Wastewater Influents and Effluent Using Gene Expression Profiling in C. elegans as a Bioanalytical Tool. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2022; 83:284-294. [PMID: 36190544 PMCID: PMC9556352 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-022-00959-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
With chemical analysis, it is impossible to qualify and quantify the toxic potency of especially hydrophilic bioactive contaminants. In this study, we applied the nematode C. elegans as a model organism for detecting the toxic potency of whole influent wastewater samples. Gene expression in the nematode was used as bioanalytical tool to reveal the presence, type and potency of molecular pathways induced by 24-h exposure to wastewater from a hospital (H), nursing home (N), community (C), and influent (I) and treated effluent (E) from a local wastewater treatment plant. Exposure to influent water significantly altered expression of 464 genes, while only two genes were differentially expressed in nematodes treated with effluent. This indicates a significant decrease in bioactive pollutant-load after wastewater treatment. Surface water receiving the effluent did not induce any genes in exposed nematodes. A subset of 209 genes was differentially expressed in all untreated wastewaters, including cytochromes P450 and C-type lectins related to the nematode's xenobiotic metabolism and immune response, respectively. Different subsets of genes responded to particular waste streams making them candidates to fingerprint-specific wastewater sources. This study shows that gene expression profiling in C. elegans can be used for mechanism-based identification of hydrophilic bioactive compounds and fingerprinting of specific wastewaters. More comprehensive than with chemical analysis, it can demonstrate the effective overall removal of bioactive compounds through wastewater treatment. This bioanalytical tool can also be applied in the process of identification of the bioactive compounds via a process of toxicity identification evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Karengera
- Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse Verburg
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G. Sterken
- Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albertinka J. Murk
- Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Inez J. T. Dinkla
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
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Karengera A, Sterken MG, Kammenga JE, Riksen JAG, Dinkla IJT, Murk AJ. Differential expression of genes in C. elegans reveals transcriptional responses to indirect-acting xenobiotic compounds and insensitivity to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 233:113344. [PMID: 35219257 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is a well-established model organism for toxicity testing of chemical substances. We recently demonstrated its potential for bioanalysis of the toxic potency of chemical contaminants in water. While many detoxification genes are homologues to those in mammalians, C. elegans is reported to be deficient in cytochrome CYP1-like P450 metabolism and that its aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) homolog encoded by ahr-1 purportedly does not interact with dioxins or any other known xenobiotic ligand. This suggests that C. elegans is insensitive for compounds that require bioactivation (indirectly acting compounds) and for dioxins or dioxin-like compounds. This study analysed genome-wide gene expression of the nematode in response to 30 μM of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), Aroclor 1254 (PCB1254), and 10 μM of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD). After 24 h of exposure in the early L4 larval stage, microarray analysis revealed 182, 86, and 321 differentially expressed genes in the nematodes treated with 30 μM of AFB1, B(a)P, and PCB1254, respectively. Among these genes, many encode xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, and their transcription levels were among the highest-ranked fold-changed genes. Interestingly, only one gene (F59B1.8) was upregulated in the nematodes exposed to 10 μM TCDD. Genes related to metabolic processes and catalytic activity were the most induced by exposure to 30 μM of AFB1, B(a)P, and PCB1254. Despite the genotoxic nature of AFB1 and B(a)P, no differential expression was found in the genes encoding DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint proteins. Analysis of concentration-response curves was performed to determine the Lowest Observed Transcriptomic Effect Levels (LOTEL) of AFB1, B(a)P, and PCB1254. The obtained LOTEL values showed that gene expression changes in C. elegans are more sensitive to toxicants than reproductive effects. Overall, transcriptional responses of metabolic enzymes suggest that the nematode does metabolize AFB1, B(a)P, and PCB1254. Our findings also support the assumption that the transcription factor AhR homolog in C. elegans does not bind typical xenobiotic ligands, rendering the nematode transcriptionally insensitive to TCDD effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Karengera
- Wageningen University, Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands; Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Wageningen University, Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Wageningen University, Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Wageningen University, Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Inez J T Dinkla
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Albertinka J Murk
- Wageningen University, Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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van Sluijs L, Bosman KJ, Pankok F, Blokhina T, Wilten JIHA, te Molder DM, Riksen JAG, Snoek BL, Pijlman GP, Kammenga JE, Sterken MG. Balancing Selection of the Intracellular Pathogen Response in Natural Caenorhabditis elegans Populations. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:758331. [PMID: 35174100 PMCID: PMC8841876 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.758331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variation in host populations may lead to differential viral susceptibilities. Here, we investigate the role of natural genetic variation in the Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR), an important antiviral pathway in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans against Orsay virus (OrV). The IPR involves transcriptional activity of 80 genes including the pals-genes. We examine the genetic variation in the pals-family for traces of selection and explore the molecular and phenotypic effects of having distinct pals-gene alleles. Genetic analysis of 330 global C. elegans strains reveals that genetic diversity within the IPR-related pals-genes can be categorized in a few haplotypes worldwide. Importantly, two key IPR regulators, pals-22 and pals-25, are in a genomic region carrying signatures of balancing selection, suggesting that different evolutionary strategies exist in IPR regulation. We infected eleven C. elegans strains that represent three distinct pals-22 pals-25 haplotypes with Orsay virus to determine their susceptibility. For two of these strains, N2 and CB4856, the transcriptional response to infection was also measured. The results indicate that pals-22 pals-25 haplotype shapes the defense against OrV and host genetic variation can result in constitutive activation of IPR genes. Our work presents evidence for balancing genetic selection of immunity genes in C. elegans and provides a novel perspective on the functional diversity that can develop within a main antiviral response in natural host populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa van Sluijs
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Kobus J. Bosman
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Frederik Pankok
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Tatiana Blokhina
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jop I. H. A. Wilten
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Dennie M. te Molder
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Basten L. Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan E. Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Mark G. Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Mark G. Sterken,
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Karengera A, Bao C, Riksen JAG, van Veelen HPJ, Sterken MG, Kammenga JE, Murk AJ, Dinkla IJT. Development of a transcription-based bioanalytical tool to quantify the toxic potencies of hydrophilic compounds in water using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021; 227:112923. [PMID: 34700171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Low concentrations of environmental contaminants can be difficult to detect with current analytical tools, yet they may pose a risk to human and environmental health. The development of bioanalytical tools can help to quantify toxic potencies of biologically active compounds even of hydrophilic contaminants that are hard to extract from water samples. In this study, we exposed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans synchronized in larval stage L4 to hydrophilic compounds via the water phase and analyzed the effect on gene transcription abundance. The nematodes were exposed to three direct-acting genotoxicants (1 mM and 5 mM): N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), formaldehyde (HCHO), and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Genome-wide gene expression analysis using microarrays revealed significantly altered transcription levels of 495 genes for HCHO, 285 genes for ENU, and 569 genes for MMS in a concentration-dependent manner. A relatively high number of differentially expressed genes was downregulated, suggesting a general stress in nematodes treated with toxicants. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis demonstrated that the upregulated genes were primarily associated with metabolism, xenobiotic detoxification, proteotoxic stress, and innate immune response. Interestingly, genes downregulated by MMS were linked to the inhibition of neurotransmission, and this is in accordance with the observed decreased locomotion in MMS-exposed nematodes. Unexpectedly, the expression level of DNA damage response genes such as cell-cycle checkpoints or DNA-repair proteins were not altered. Overall, the current study shows that gene expression profiling of nematodes can be used to identify the potential mechanisms underlying the toxicity of chemical compounds. C. elegans is a promising test organism to further develop into a bioanalytical tool for quantification of the toxic potency of a wide array of hydrophilic contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Karengera
- Wageningen University, Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
| | - Cong Bao
- Wageningen University, Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Wageningen University, Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H Pieter J van Veelen
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Wageningen University, Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Wageningen University, Plant Sciences, Laboratory of Nematology, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albertinka J Murk
- Wageningen University, Department of Animal Sciences, Marine Animal Ecology Group, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Inez J T Dinkla
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
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van Sluijs L, Liu J, Schrama M, van Hamond S, Vromans SPJM, Scholten MH, Žibrat N, Riksen JAG, Pijlman GP, Sterken MG, Kammenga JE. Virus infection modulates male sexual behaviour in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6776-6790. [PMID: 34534386 PMCID: PMC9291463 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mating dynamics follow from natural selection on mate choice and individuals maximizing their reproductive success. Mate discrimination reveals itself by a plethora of behaviours and morphological characteristics, each of which can be affected by pathogens. A key question is how pathogens affect mate choice and outcrossing behaviour. Here we investigated the effect of Orsay virus on the mating dynamics of the androdiecious (male and hermaphrodite) nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We tested genetically distinct strains and found that viral susceptibility differed between sexes in a genotype-dependent manner with males of reference strain N2 being more resistant than hermaphrodites. Males displayed a constitutively higher expression of intracellular pathogen response (IPR) genes, whereas the antiviral RNAi response did not have increased activity in males. Subsequent monitoring of sex ratios over 10 generations revealed that viral presence can change mating dynamics in isogenic populations. Sexual attraction assays showed that males preferred mating with uninfected rather than infected hermaphrodites. Together our results illustrate for the first time that viral infection can significantly affect male mating choice and suggest altered mating dynamics as a novel cause benefitting outcrossing under pathogenic stress conditions in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa van Sluijs
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
- Laboratory of VirologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Jie Liu
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Mels Schrama
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Sanne van Hamond
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | | | - Marèl H. Scholten
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Nika Žibrat
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of VirologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Mark G. Sterken
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Jan E. Kammenga
- Laboratory of NematologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
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8
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Sterken MG, van Wijk MH, Quamme EC, Riksen JAG, Carnell L, Mathies LD, Davies AG, Kammenga JE, Bettinger JC. Transcriptional analysis of the response of C. elegans to ethanol exposure. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10993. [PMID: 34040055 PMCID: PMC8155136 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol-induced transcriptional changes underlie important physiological responses to ethanol that are likely to contribute to the addictive properties of the drug. We examined the transcriptional responses of Caenorhabditis elegans across a timecourse of ethanol exposure, between 30 min and 8 h, to determine what genes and genetic pathways are regulated in response to ethanol in this model. We found that short exposures to ethanol (up to 2 h) induced expression of metabolic enzymes involved in metabolizing ethanol and retinol, while longer exposure (8 h) had much more profound effects on the transcriptome. Several genes that are known to be involved in the physiological response to ethanol, including direct ethanol targets, were regulated at 8 h of exposure. This longer exposure to ethanol also resulted in the regulation of genes involved in cilia function, which is consistent with an important role for the effects of ethanol on cilia in the deleterious effects of chronic ethanol consumption in humans. Finally, we found that food deprivation for an 8-h period induced gene expression changes that were somewhat ameliorated by the presence of ethanol, supporting previous observations that worms can use ethanol as a calorie source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marijke H van Wijk
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth C Quamme
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lucinda Carnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA, 98926, USA
| | - Laura D Mathies
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Andrew G Davies
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jill C Bettinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Sterken MG, van Sluijs L, Wang YA, Ritmahan W, Gultom ML, Riksen JAG, Volkers RJM, Snoek LB, Pijlman GP, Kammenga JE. Punctuated Loci on Chromosome IV Determine Natural Variation in Orsay Virus Susceptibility of Caenorhabditis elegans Strains Bristol N2 and Hawaiian CB4856. J Virol 2021; 95:e02430-20. [PMID: 33827942 PMCID: PMC8315983 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02430-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions play a major role in evolutionary selection and shape natural genetic variation. The genetically distinct Caenorhabditis elegans strains, Bristol N2 and Hawaiian CB4856, are differentially susceptible to the Orsay virus (OrV). Here, we report the dissection of the genetic architecture of susceptibility to OrV infection. We compare OrV infection in the relatively resistant wild-type CB4856 strain to the more susceptible canonical N2 strain. To gain insight into the genetic architecture of viral susceptibility, 52 fully sequenced recombinant inbred lines (CB4856 × N2 RILs) were exposed to OrV. This led to the identification of two loci on chromosome IV associated with OrV resistance. To verify the two loci and gain additional insight into the genetic architecture controlling virus infection, introgression lines (ILs) that together cover chromosome IV, were exposed to OrV. Of the 27 ILs used, 17 had an CB4856 introgression in an N2 background, and 10 had an N2 introgression in a CB4856 background. Infection of the ILs confirmed and fine-mapped the locus underlying variation in OrV susceptibility, and we found that a single nucleotide polymorphism in cul-6 may contribute to the difference in OrV susceptibility between N2 and CB4856. An allele swap experiment showed the strain CB4856 became as susceptible as the N2 strain by having an N2 cul-6 allele, although having the CB4856 cul-6 allele did not increase resistance in N2. In addition, we found that multiple strains with nonoverlapping introgressions showed a distinct infection phenotype from the parental strain, indicating that there are punctuated locations on chromosome IV determining OrV susceptibility. Thus, our findings reveal the genetic complexity of OrV susceptibility in C. elegans and suggest that viral susceptibility is governed by multiple genes.IMPORTANCE Genetic variation determines the viral susceptibility of hosts. Yet, pinpointing which genetic variants determine viral susceptibility remains challenging. Here, we have exploited the genetic tractability of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to dissect the genetic architecture of Orsay virus infection. Our results provide novel insight into natural determinants of Orsay virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa van Sluijs
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yiru A Wang
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wannisa Ritmahan
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mitra L Gultom
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita J M Volkers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - L Basten Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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10
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Sterken MG, Bevers RPJ, Volkers RJM, Riksen JAG, Kammenga JE, Snoek BL. Dissecting the eQTL Micro-Architecture in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Genet 2020; 11:501376. [PMID: 33240309 PMCID: PMC7670075 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.501376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) using natural variation in inbred populations has yielded detailed information about the transcriptional regulation of complex traits. Studies on eQTL using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) led to insights on cis and trans regulatory loci of transcript abundance. However, determining the underlying causal polymorphic genes or variants is difficult, but ultimately essential for the understanding of regulatory networks of complex traits. This requires insight into whether associated loci are single eQTL or a combination of closely linked eQTL, and how this QTL micro-architecture depends on the environment. We addressed these questions by testing for independent replication of previously mapped eQTL in Caenorhabditis elegans using new data from introgression lines (ILs). Both populations indicate that the overall heritability of gene expression, number, and position of eQTL differed among environments. Across environments we were able to replicate 70% of the cis- and 40% of the trans-eQTL using the ILs. Testing eight different simulation models, we suggest that additive effects explain up to 60-93% of RIL/IL heritability for all three environments. Closely linked eQTL explained up to 40% of RIL/IL heritability in the control environment whereas only 7% in the heat-stress and recovery environments. In conclusion, we show that reproducibility of eQTL was higher for cis vs. trans eQTL and that the environment affects the eQTL micro-architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G. Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Roel P. J. Bevers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Rita J. M. Volkers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan E. Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Basten L. Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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11
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Jovic K, Grilli J, Sterken MG, Snoek BL, Riksen JAG, Allesina S, Kammenga JE. Transcriptome resilience predicts thermotolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans. BMC Biol 2019; 17:102. [PMID: 31822273 PMCID: PMC6905072 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0725-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The detrimental effects of a short bout of stress can persist and potentially turn lethal, long after the return to normal conditions. Thermotolerance, which is the capacity of an organism to withstand relatively extreme temperatures, is influenced by the response during stress exposure, as well as the recovery process afterwards. While heat-shock response mechanisms have been studied intensively, predicting thermal tolerance remains a challenge. RESULTS Here, we use the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to measure transcriptional resilience to heat stress and predict thermotolerance. Using principal component analysis in combination with genome-wide gene expression profiles collected in three high-resolution time series during control, heat stress, and recovery conditions, we infer a quantitative scale capturing the extent of stress-induced transcriptome dynamics in a single value. This scale provides a basis for evaluating transcriptome resilience, defined here as the ability to depart from stress-expression dynamics during recovery. Independent replication across multiple highly divergent genotypes reveals that the transcriptional resilience parameter measured after a spike in temperature is quantitatively linked to long-term survival after heat stress. CONCLUSION Our findings imply that thermotolerance is an intrinsic property that pre-determines long-term outcome of stress and can be predicted by the transcriptional resilience parameter. Inferring the transcriptional resilience parameters of higher organisms could aid in evaluating rehabilitation strategies after stresses such as disease and trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Jovic
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Jacopo Grilli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
- The Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Strada Costiera 11, I-34014, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Basten L Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Allesina
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1101 E 57th St, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands.
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12
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Wang YA, Snoek BL, Sterken MG, Riksen JAG, Stastna JJ, Kammenga JE, Harvey SC. Genetic background modifies phenotypic and transcriptional responses in a C. elegans model of α-synuclein toxicity. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:232. [PMID: 30894116 PMCID: PMC6427842 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5597-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulation of protein aggregates are a major hallmark of progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes expressing the human synaptic protein α-synuclein in body wall muscle show inclusions of aggregated protein, which affects similar genetic pathways as in humans. It is not however known how the effects of α-synuclein expression in C. elegans differs among genetic backgrounds. Here, we compared gene expression patterns and investigated the phenotypic consequences of transgenic α-synuclein expression in five different C. elegans genetic backgrounds. Results Transcriptome analysis indicates that α-synuclein expression effects pathways associated with nutrient storage, lipid transportation and ion exchange and that effects vary depending on the genetic background. These gene expression changes predict that a range of phenotypes will be affected by α-synuclein expression. We confirm this, showing that α-synuclein expression delayed development, reduced lifespan, increased rate of matricidal hatching, and slows pharyngeal pumping. Critically, these phenotypic effects depend on the genetic background and coincide with the core changes in gene expression. Conclusions Together, our results show genotype-specific effects and core alterations in both gene expression and in phenotype in response to α-synuclein expression. We conclude that the effects of α-synuclein expression are substantially modified by the genetic background, illustrating that genetic background needs to be considered in C. elegans models of neurodegenerative disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5597-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiru A Wang
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK.,Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Basten L Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jana J Stastna
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708, PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simon C Harvey
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK.
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13
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Snoek BL, Volkers RJM, Nijveen H, Petersen C, Dirksen P, Sterken MG, Nakad R, Riksen JAG, Rosenstiel P, Stastna JJ, Braeckman BP, Harvey SC, Schulenburg H, Kammenga JE. A multi-parent recombinant inbred line population of C. elegans allows identification of novel QTLs for complex life history traits. BMC Biol 2019; 17:24. [PMID: 30866929 PMCID: PMC6417139 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0642-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been extensively used to explore the relationships between complex traits, genotypes, and environments. Complex traits can vary across different genotypes of a species, and the genetic regulators of trait variation can be mapped on the genome using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from genetically and phenotypically divergent parents. Most RILs have been derived from crossing two parents from globally distant locations. However, the genetic diversity between local C. elegans populations can be as diverse as between global populations and could thus provide means of identifying genetic variation associated with complex traits relevant on a broader scale. RESULTS To investigate the effect of local genetic variation on heritable traits, we developed a new RIL population derived from 4 parental wild isolates collected from 2 closely located sites in France: Orsay and Santeuil. We crossed these 4 genetically diverse parental isolates to generate a population of 200 multi-parental RILs and used RNA-seq to obtain sequence polymorphisms identifying almost 9000 SNPs variable between the 4 genotypes with an average spacing of 11 kb, doubling the mapping resolution relative to currently available RIL panels for many loci. The SNPs were used to construct a genetic map to facilitate QTL analysis. We measured life history traits such as lifespan, stress resistance, developmental speed, and population growth in different environments, and found substantial variation for most traits. We detected multiple QTLs for most traits, including novel QTLs not found in previous QTL analysis, including those for lifespan and pathogen responses. This shows that recombining genetic variation across C. elegans populations that are in geographical close proximity provides ample variation for QTL mapping. CONCLUSION Taken together, we show that using more parents than the classical two parental genotypes to construct a RIL population facilitates the detection of QTLs and that the use of wild isolates facilitates the detection of QTLs. The use of multi-parent RIL populations can further enhance our understanding of local adaptation and life history trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basten L Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, NL-6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands. .,Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Rita J M Volkers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, NL-6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Harm Nijveen
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, NL-6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Carola Petersen
- Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Philipp Dirksen
- Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, NL-6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rania Nakad
- Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, NL-6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jana J Stastna
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Bart P Braeckman
- Department of Biology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Simon C Harvey
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Hinrich Schulenburg
- Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany. .,Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, 24306, Plön, Germany.
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, NL-6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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14
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Jovic K, Sterken MG, Grilli J, Bevers RPJ, Rodriguez M, Riksen JAG, Allesina S, Kammenga JE, Snoek LB. Temporal dynamics of gene expression in heat-stressed Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189445. [PMID: 29228038 PMCID: PMC5724892 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable insight into pathways and genes associated with heat-stress conditions. Most genes involved in stress response have been identified using mutant screens or gene knockdowns. Yet, there is limited understanding of the temporal dynamics of global gene expression in stressful environments. Here, we studied global gene expression profiles during 12 hours of heat stress in the nematode C. elegans. Using a high-resolution time series of increasing stress exposures, we found a distinct shift in gene expression patterns between 3–4 hours into the stress response, separating an initially highly dynamic phase from a later relatively stagnant phase. This turning point in expression dynamics coincided with a phenotypic turning point, as shown by a strong decrease in movement, survival and, progeny count in the days following the stress. Both detectable at transcriptional and phenotypic level, this study pin-points a relatively small time frame during heat stress at which enough damage is accumulated, making it impossible to recover the next few days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Jovic
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G. Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacopo Grilli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Roel P. J. Bevers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Allesina
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jan E. Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - L. Basten Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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15
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Snoek BL, Sterken MG, Bevers RPJ, Volkers RJM, Van't Hof A, Brenchley R, Riksen JAG, Cossins A, Kammenga JE. Contribution of trans regulatory eQTL to cryptic genetic variation in C. elegans. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:500. [PMID: 28662696 PMCID: PMC5492678 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3899-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptic genetic variation (CGV) is the hidden genetic variation that can be unlocked by perturbing normal conditions. CGV can drive the emergence of novel complex phenotypes through changes in gene expression. Although our theoretical understanding of CGV has thoroughly increased over the past decade, insight into polymorphic gene expression regulation underlying CGV is scarce. Here we investigated the transcriptional architecture of CGV in response to rapid temperature changes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We analyzed regulatory variation in gene expression (and mapped eQTL) across the course of a heat stress and recovery response in a recombinant inbred population. Results We measured gene expression over three temperature treatments: i) control, ii) heat stress, and iii) recovery from heat stress. Compared to control, exposure to heat stress affected the transcription of 3305 genes, whereas 942 were affected in recovering animals. These affected genes were mainly involved in metabolism and reproduction. The gene expression pattern in recovering animals resembled both the control and the heat-stress treatment. We mapped eQTL using the genetic variation of the recombinant inbred population and detected 2626 genes with an eQTL in the heat-stress treatment, 1797 in the control, and 1880 in the recovery. The cis-eQTL were highly shared across treatments. A considerable fraction of the trans-eQTL (40–57%) mapped to 19 treatment specific trans-bands. In contrast to cis-eQTL, trans-eQTL were highly environment specific and thus cryptic. Approximately 67% of the trans-eQTL were only induced in a single treatment, with heat-stress showing the most unique trans-eQTL. Conclusions These results illustrate the highly dynamic pattern of CGV across three different environmental conditions that can be evoked by a stress response over a relatively short time-span (2 h) and that CGV is mainly determined by response related trans regulatory eQTL. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3899-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basten L Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark G Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Roel P J Bevers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita J M Volkers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjen Van't Hof
- Centre for Genome research, Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZB, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rachel Brenchley
- Centre for Genome research, Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZB, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew Cossins
- Centre for Genome research, Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZB, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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16
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Snoek LB, Orbidans HE, Stastna JJ, Aartse A, Rodriguez M, Riksen JAG, Kammenga JE, Harvey SC. Widespread genomic incompatibilities in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3 (Bethesda) 2014; 4:1813-23. [PMID: 25128438 PMCID: PMC4199689 DOI: 10.1534/g3.114.013151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In the Bateson-Dobzhansky-Muller (BDM) model of speciation, incompatibilities emerge from the deleterious interactions between alleles that are neutral or advantageous in the original genetic backgrounds, i.e., negative epistatic effects. Within species such interactions are responsible for outbreeding depression and F2 (hybrid) breakdown. We sought to identify BDM incompatibilities in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans by looking for genomic regions that disrupt egg laying; a complex, highly regulated, and coordinated phenotype. Investigation of introgression lines and recombinant inbred lines derived from the isolates CB4856 and N2 uncovered multiple incompatibility quantitative trait loci (QTL). These QTL produce a synthetic egg-laying defective phenotype not seen in CB4856 and N2 nor in other wild isolates. For two of the QTL regions, results are inconsistent with a model of pairwise interaction between two loci, suggesting that the incompatibilities are a consequence of complex interactions between multiple loci. Analysis of additional life history traits indicates that the QTL regions identified in these screens are associated with effects on other traits such as lifespan and reproduction, suggesting that the incompatibilities are likely to be deleterious. Taken together, these results indicate that numerous BDM incompatibilities that could contribute to reproductive isolation can be detected and mapped within C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Basten Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Helen E Orbidans
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Jana J Stastna
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Aafke Aartse
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A G Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simon C Harvey
- Biomolecular Research Group, School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
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17
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Sterken MG, Snoek LB, Bosman KJ, Daamen J, Riksen JAG, Bakker J, Pijlman GP, Kammenga JE. A heritable antiviral RNAi response limits Orsay virus infection in Caenorhabditis elegans N2. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89760. [PMID: 24587016 PMCID: PMC3933659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Orsay virus (OrV) is the first virus known to be able to complete a full infection cycle in the model nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans. OrV is transmitted horizontally and its infection is limited by antiviral RNA interference (RNAi). However, we have no insight into the kinetics of OrV replication in C. elegans. We developed an assay that infects worms in liquid, allowing precise monitoring of the infection. The assay revealed a dual role for the RNAi response in limiting Orsay virus infection in C. elegans. Firstly, it limits the progression of the initial infection at the step of recognition of dsRNA. Secondly, it provides an inherited protection against infection in the offspring. This establishes the heritable RNAi response as anti-viral mechanism during OrV infections in C. elegans. Our results further illustrate that the inheritance of the anti-viral response is important in controlling the infection in the canonical wild type Bristol N2. The OrV replication kinetics were established throughout the worm life-cycle, setting a standard for further quantitative assays with the OrV-C. elegans infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G. Sterken
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - L. Basten Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kobus J. Bosman
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jikke Daamen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Bakker
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gorben P. Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E. Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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18
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Rodriguez M, Snoek LB, Riksen JAG, Bevers RP, Kammenga JE. Genetic variation for stress-response hormesis in C. elegans lifespan. Exp Gerontol 2012; 47:581-7. [PMID: 22613270 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Increased lifespan can be associated with greater resistance to many different stressors, most notably thermal stress. Such hormetic effects have also been found in C. elegans where short-term exposure to heat lengthens the lifespan. Genetic investigations have been carried out using mutation perturbations in a single genotype, the wild type Bristol N2. Yet, induced mutations do not yield insight regarding the natural genetic variation of thermal tolerance and lifespan. We investigated the genetic variation of heat-shock recovery, i.e. hormetic effects on lifespan and associated quantitative trait loci (QTL) in C. elegans. Heat-shock resulted in an 18% lifespan increase in wild type CB4856 whereas N2 did not show a lifespan elongation. Using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between wild types N2 and CB4856 we found natural variation in stress-response hormesis in lifespan. Approx. 28% of the RILs displayed a hormesis effect in lifespan. We did not find any hormesis effects for total offspring. Across the RILs there was no relation between lifespan and offspring. The ability to recover from heat-shock mapped to a significant QTL on chromosome II which overlapped with a QTL for offspring under heat-shock conditions. The QTL was confirmed by introgressing relatively small CB4856 regions into chromosome II of N2. Our observations show that there is natural variation in hormetic effects on C. elegans lifespan for heat-shock and that this variation is genetically determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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19
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Viñuela A, Snoek LB, Riksen JAG, Kammenga JE. Gene expression modifications by temperature-toxicants interactions in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24676. [PMID: 21931806 PMCID: PMC3170376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although organophosphorus pesticides (OP) share a common mode of action, there is increased awareness that they elicit a diverse range of gene expression responses. As yet however, there is no clear understanding of these responses and how they interact with ambient environmental conditions. In the present study, we investigated genome-wide gene expression profiles in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to two OP, chlorpyrifos and diazinon, in single and combined treatments at different temperatures. Our results show that chlorpyrifos and diazinon induced expression of different genes and that temperature affected the response of detoxification genes to the pesticides. The analysis of transcriptional responses to a combination of chlorpyrifos and diazinon shows interactions between toxicants that affect gene expression. Furthermore, our combined analysis of the transcriptional responses to OP at different temperatures suggests that the combination of OP and high temperatures affect detoxification genes and modified the toxic levels of the pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Viñuela
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - L. Basten Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E. Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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20
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Viñuela A, Snoek LB, Riksen JAG, Kammenga JE. Genome-wide gene expression analysis in response to organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos and diazinon in C. elegans. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12145. [PMID: 20808445 PMCID: PMC2922338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2010] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) were originally designed to affect the nervous system by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, an important regulator of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Over the past years evidence is mounting that these compounds affect many other processes. Little is known, however, about gene expression responses against OPs in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This is surprising because C. elegans is extensively used as a model species in toxicity studies. To address this question we performed a microarray study in C. elegans which was exposed for 72 hrs to two widely used Ops, chlorpyrifos and diazinon, and a low dose mixture of these two compounds. Our analysis revealed transcriptional responses related to detoxification, stress, innate immunity, and transport and metabolism of lipids in all treatments. We found that for both compounds as well as in the mixture, these processes were regulated by different gene transcripts. Our results illustrate intense, and unexpected crosstalk between gene pathways in response to chlorpyrifos and diazinon in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Viñuela
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - L. Basten Snoek
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A. G. Riksen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan E. Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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21
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Abstract
Gene expression becomes more variable with age, and it is widely assumed that this is due to a decrease in expression regulation. But currently there is no understanding how gene expression regulatory patterns progress with age. Here we explored genome-wide gene expression variation and regulatory loci (eQTL) in a population of developing and aging C. elegans recombinant inbred worms. We found almost 900 genes with an eQTL, of which almost half were found to have a genotype-by-age effect ((gxa)eQTL). The total number of eQTL decreased with age, whereas the variation in expression increased. In developing worms, the number of genes with increased expression variation (1282) was similar to the ones with decreased expression variation (1328). In aging worms, the number of genes with increased variation (1772) was nearly five times higher than the number of genes with a decreased expression variation (373). The number of cis-acting eQTL in juveniles decreased by almost 50% in old worms, whereas the number of trans-acting loci decreased by approximately 27%, indicating that cis-regulation becomes relatively less frequent than trans-regulation in aging worms. Of the 373 genes with decreased expression level variation in aging worms, approximately 39% had an eQTL compared with approximately 14% in developing worms. (gxa)eQTL were found for approximately 21% of these genes in aging worms compared with only approximately 6% in developing worms. We highlight three examples of linkages: in young worms (pgp-6), in old worms (daf-16), and throughout life (lips-16). Our findings demonstrate that eQTL patterns are strongly affected by age, and suggest that gene network integrity declines with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Viñuela
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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22
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Kammenga JE, Doroszuk A, Riksen JAG, Hazendonk E, Spiridon L, Petrescu AJ, Tijsterman M, Plasterk RHA, Bakker J. A Caenorhabditis elegans wild type defies the temperature-size rule owing to a single nucleotide polymorphism in tra-3. PLoS Genet 2007; 3:e34. [PMID: 17335351 PMCID: PMC1808073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2006] [Accepted: 01/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ectotherms rely for their body heat on surrounding temperatures. A key question in biology is why most ectotherms mature at a larger size at lower temperatures, a phenomenon known as the temperature-size rule. Since temperature affects virtually all processes in a living organism, current theories to explain this phenomenon are diverse and complex and assert often from opposing assumptions. Although widely studied, the molecular genetic control of the temperature-size rule is unknown. We found that the Caenorhabditis elegans wild-type N2 complied with the temperature-size rule, whereas wild-type CB4856 defied it. Using a candidate gene approach based on an N2 x CB4856 recombinant inbred panel in combination with mutant analysis, complementation, and transgenic studies, we show that a single nucleotide polymorphism in tra-3 leads to mutation F96L in the encoded calpain-like protease. This mutation attenuates the ability of CB4856 to grow larger at low temperature. Homology modelling predicts that F96L reduces TRA-3 activity by destabilizing the DII-A domain. The data show that size adaptation of ectotherms to temperature changes may be less complex than previously thought because a subtle wild-type polymorphism modulates the temperature responsiveness of body size. These findings provide a novel step toward the molecular understanding of the temperature-size rule, which has puzzled biologists for decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan E Kammenga
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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23
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Gutteling EW, Doroszuk A, Riksen JAG, Prokop Z, Reszka J, Kammenga JE. Environmental influence on the genetic correlations between life-history traits in Caenorhabditis elegans. Heredity (Edinb) 2007; 98:206-13. [PMID: 17203010 DOI: 10.1038/sj.hdy.6800929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Empirical evidence is mounting to suggesting that genetic correlations between life-history traits are environment specific. However, detailed knowledge about the loci underlying genetic correlations in different environments is scant. Here, we studied the influence of temperature (12 degrees C and 24 degrees C) on the genetic correlations between egg size, egg number and body mass in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We used a quantitative trait loci (QTL) approach based on a genetic map with evenly spaced single nucleotide polymorphism markers in an N2 x CB4856 recombinant inbred panel. Significant genetic correlations between various traits were found at both temperatures. We detected pleiotropic or closely linked QTL, which supported the negative correlation between egg size and egg number at 12 degrees C, the positive correlation across temperatures for body mass, and the positive correlation between body mass and egg size at 12 degrees C. The results indicate that specific loci control the covariation in these life-history traits and the locus control is prone to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Gutteling
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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24
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Van der Wurff AWG, Kools SAE, Boivin MEY, Van den Brink PJ, Van Megen HHM, Riksen JAG, Doroszuk A, Kammenga JE. Type of disturbance and ecological history determine structural stability. Ecol Appl 2007; 17:190-202. [PMID: 17479845 DOI: 10.1890/1051-0761(2007)017[0190:todaeh]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to reveal whether complexity, namely, community and trophic structure, of chronically stressed soil systems is at increased risk or remains stable when confronted with a subsequent disturbance. Therefore, we focused on a grassland with a history of four centuries of patchy contamination. Nematodes were used as model organisms because they are an abundant and trophically diverse group and representative of the soil food web and ecosystem complexity. In a field survey, a relationship between contaminants and community structures was established. Following, two groups of soil mesocosms from the field that differed in contamination level were exposed to different disturbance regimes, namely, to the contaminant zinc and a heat shock. The zinc treatment revealed that community structure is stable, irrespective of soil contamination levels. This implies that centuries of exposure to contamination led to adaptation of the soil nematode community irrespective of the patchy distribution of contaminants. In contrast, the heat shock had adverse effects on species richness in the highly contaminated soils only. The total nematode biomass was lower in the highly contaminated field samples; however, the biomass was not affected by zinc and heat treatments of the mesocosms. This means that density compensation occurred rapidly, i.e., tolerant species quickly replaced sensitive species. Our results support the hypothesis that the history of contamination and the type of disturbance determine the response of communities. Despite that ecosystems may be exposed for centuries to contamination and communities show adaptation, biodiversity in highly contaminated sites is at increased risk when exposed to a different disturbance regime. We discuss how the loss of higher trophic levels from the entire system, such as represented by carnivorous nematodes after the heat shock, accompanied by local biodiversity loss at highly contaminated sites, may result in detrimental effects on ecosystem functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W G Van der Wurff
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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25
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Gutteling EW, Riksen JAG, Bakker J, Kammenga JE. Mapping phenotypic plasticity and genotype-environment interactions affecting life-history traits in Caenorhabditis elegans. Heredity (Edinb) 2006; 98:28-37. [PMID: 16955112 DOI: 10.1038/sj.hdy.6800894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity and genotype-environment interactions (GEI) play an important role in the evolution of life histories. Knowledge of the molecular genetic basis of plasticity and GEI provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of life-history changes in different environments. We used a genomewide single-nucleotide polymorphism map in a recombinant N2 x CB4856 inbred panel of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to study the genetic control of phenotypic plasticity to temperature in four fitness-related traits, that is, age at maturity, fertility, egg size and growth rate. We mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the respective traits at 12 and 24 degrees C, as well as their plasticities. We found genetic variation and GEI for age at maturity, fertility, egg size and growth rate. GEI in fertility and egg size was attributed to changes in rank order of reaction norms. In case of age at maturity and growth rate, GEI was caused mainly by differences in the among-line variance. In total, 11 QTLs were detected, five QTL at 12 degrees C and six QTL at 24 degrees C, which were associated with life-history traits. Five QTL associated with age at maturity, fertility and growth rate showed QTL x environment interaction. These colocalized with plasticity QTL for the respective traits suggesting allelic sensitivity to temperature. Further fine mapping, complementation analyses and gene silencing are planned to identify candidate genes underlying phenotypic plasticity for age at maturity, fertility and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- E W Gutteling
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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26
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Kammenga JE, Doroszuk A, Riksen JAG, Hazendonk E, Spiridon L, Petrescu AJ, Tijsterman M, Plasterk RA, Bakker J. A C. elegans Wild-type Defies the Temperature-size Rule due to a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in tra-3. PLoS Genet 2005. [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0030034.eor] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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