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Mahapatra A, Dhakal A, Noguchi A, Vadlamani P, Hundley HA. ADAR-mediated regulation of PQM-1 expression in neurons impacts gene expression throughout C. elegans and regulates survival from hypoxia. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002150. [PMID: 37747897 PMCID: PMC10553819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002150] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to alter gene expression programs in response to changes in environmental conditions is central to the ability of an organism to thrive. For most organisms, the nervous system serves as the master regulator in communicating information about the animal's surroundings to other tissues. The information relay centers on signaling pathways that cue transcription factors in a given cell type to execute a specific gene expression program, but also provide a means to signal between tissues. The transcription factor PQM-1 is an important mediator of the insulin signaling pathway contributing to longevity and the stress response as well as impacting survival from hypoxia. Herein, we reveal a novel mechanism for regulating PQM-1 expression specifically in neural cells of larval animals. Our studies reveal that the RNA-binding protein (RBP), ADR-1, binds to pqm-1 mRNA in neural cells. This binding is regulated by the presence of a second RBP, ADR-2, which when absent leads to reduced expression of both pqm-1 and downstream PQM-1 activated genes. Interestingly, we find that neural pqm-1 expression is sufficient to impact gene expression throughout the animal and affect survival from hypoxia, phenotypes that we also observe in adr mutant animals. Together, these studies reveal an important posttranscriptional gene regulatory mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans that allows the nervous system to sense and respond to environmental conditions to promote organismal survival from hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Mahapatra
- Genome, Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Alfa Dhakal
- Cell, Molecular and Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine–Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Aika Noguchi
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Pranathi Vadlamani
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine–Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Heather A. Hundley
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
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Mahapatra A, Dhakal A, Noguchi A, Vadlamani P, Hundley HA. ADARs employ a neural-specific mechanism to regulate PQM-1 expression and survival from hypoxia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.05.539519. [PMID: 37205482 PMCID: PMC10187282 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.05.539519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The ability to alter gene expression programs in response to changes in environmental conditions is central to the ability of an organism to thrive. For most organisms, the nervous system serves as the master regulator in communicating information about the animal's surroundings to other tissues. The information relay centers on signaling pathways that cue transcription factors in a given cell type to execute a specific gene expression program, but also provide a means to signal between tissues. The transcription factor PQM-1 is an important mediator of the insulin signaling pathway contributing to longevity and the stress response as well as impacting survival from hypoxia. Herein, we reveal a novel mechanism for regulating PQM-1 expression specifically in neural cells of larval animals. Our studies reveal that the RNA binding protein, ADR-1, binds to pqm-1 mRNA in neural cells. This binding is regulated by the presence of a second RNA binding protein, ADR-2, which when absent leads to reduced expression of both pqm-1 and downstream PQM-1 activated genes. Interestingly, we find that neural pqm-1 expression is sufficient to impact gene expression throughout the animal and affect survival from hypoxia; phenotypes that we also observe in adr mutant animals. Together, these studies reveal an important post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanism that allows the nervous system to sense and respond to environmental conditions to promote organismal survival from hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Mahapatra
- Genome, Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 47405 USA
| | - Alfa Dhakal
- Cell, Molecular and Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine – Bloomington, Bloomington IN, 47405 USA
| | - Aika Noguchi
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington IN 47405 USA
| | - Pranathi Vadlamani
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine – Bloomington, Bloomington IN, 47405 USA
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The Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of the Evi1 proto-oncogene, egl-43, coordinates G1 cell cycle arrest with pro-invasive gene expression during anchor cell invasion. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008470. [PMID: 32203506 PMCID: PMC7117773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell invasion allows cells to migrate across compartment boundaries formed by basement membranes. Aberrant cell invasion is a first step during the formation of metastases by malignant cancer cells. Anchor cell (AC) invasion in C. elegans is an excellent in vivo model to study the regulation of cell invasion during development. Here, we have examined the function of egl-43, the homolog of the human Evi1 proto-oncogene (also called MECOM), in the invading AC. egl-43 plays a dual role in this process, firstly by imposing a G1 cell cycle arrest to prevent AC proliferation, and secondly, by activating pro-invasive gene expression. We have identified the AP-1 transcription factor fos-1 and the Notch homolog lin-12 as critical egl-43 targets. A positive feedback loop between fos-1 and egl-43 induces pro-invasive gene expression in the AC, while repression of lin-12 Notch expression by egl-43 ensures the G1 cell cycle arrest necessary for invasion. Reducing lin-12 levels in egl-43 depleted animals restored the G1 arrest, while hyperactivation of lin-12 signaling in the differentiated AC was sufficient to induce proliferation. Taken together, our data have identified egl-43 Evi1 as an important factor coordinating cell invasion with cell cycle arrest. Cells invasion is a fundamental biological process that allows cells to cross compartment boundaries and migrate to new locations. Aberrant cell invasion is a first step during the formation of metastases by malignant cancer cells. We have investigated how a specialized cell in the Nematode C. elegans, the so-called anchor cell, can invade into the adjacent epithelium during normal development. Our work has identified an oncogenic transcription factor that controls the expression of specific target genes necessary for cell invasion, and at the same time inhibits the proliferation of the invading anchor cell. These findings shed light on the mechanisms, by which cells decide whether to proliferate or invade.
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Delaney K, Strobino M, Wenda JM, Pankowski A, Steiner FA. H3.3K27M-induced chromatin changes drive ectopic replication through misregulation of the JNK pathway in C. elegans. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2529. [PMID: 31175278 PMCID: PMC6555832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Substitution of lysine 27 with methionine in histone H3.3 is a recently discovered driver mutation of pediatric high-grade gliomas. Mutant cells show decreased levels and altered distribution of H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). How these chromatin changes are established genome-wide and lead to tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here we show that H3.3K27M-mediated alterations in H3K27me3 distribution result in ectopic DNA replication and cell cycle progression of germ cells in Caenorhabditis elegans. By genetically inducing changes in the H3.3 distribution, we demonstrate that both H3.3K27M and pre-existing H3K27me3 act locally and antagonistically on Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) in a concentration-dependent manner. The heterochromatin changes result in extensive gene misregulation, and genetic screening identified upregulation of JNK as an underlying cause of the germcell aberrations. Moreover, JNK inhibition suppresses the replicative fate in human tumor-derived H3.3K27M cells, thus establishing C. elegans as a powerful model for the identification of potential drug targets for treatment of H3.3K27M tumors. Substitution of lysine 27 with methionine in histone H3.3 (H3.3K27M) is a driver mutation of pediatric high-grade gliomas. Here the authors show that H3.3K27M-mediated alterations in H3K27me3 distribution result in ectopic DNA replication and cell cycle progression of germ cells in Caenorhabditis elegans, through JNK pathway misregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Delaney
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute for Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maude Strobino
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute for Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joanna M Wenda
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute for Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrzej Pankowski
- Team of Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Mechanics and Petrochemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 09-400, Płock, Poland
| | - Florian A Steiner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute for Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Ramachandran PV, Savini M, Folick AK, Hu K, Masand R, Graham BH, Wang MC. Lysosomal Signaling Promotes Longevity by Adjusting Mitochondrial Activity. Dev Cell 2019; 48:685-696.e5. [PMID: 30713071 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomes and mitochondria are both crucial cellular organelles for metabolic homeostasis and organism health. However, mechanisms linking their metabolic activities to promote organism longevity remain poorly understood. We discovered that the induction of specific lysosomal signaling mediated by a LIPL-4 lysosomal acid lipase and its lipid chaperone LBP-8 increases mitochondrial ß-oxidation to reduce lipid storage and promote longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans. We further discovered that increased mitochondrial ß-oxidation reduces mitochondrial electron transport chain complex II activity, contributing to the induction of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria (mtROS) and the longevity effect conferred by LIPL-4-LBP-8 signaling. Moreover, by activating the JUN-1 transcription factor downstream of mtROS, the LIPL-4-LBP-8 signaling pathway induces antioxidant targets and oxidative stress tolerance. Together, these results reveal regulatory mechanisms by which lysosomal signaling triggers adjustments in mitochondrial activity and suggest the significance of these metabolic adjustments for improving metabolic fitness, redox homeostasis, and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna V Ramachandran
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marzia Savini
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrew K Folick
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kuang Hu
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ruchi Masand
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brett H Graham
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Meng C Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Imaging of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and septin 9 interaction by bimolecular fluorescence complementation in live cancer cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:31830-31841. [PMID: 28380438 PMCID: PMC5458251 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a major mediator of the hypoxic response involved in tumor progression. We had earlier described the interaction between septin 9 isoform 1 (SEPT9_i1) protein and the oxygen-regulated subunit, HIF-1α. SEPT9_i1 is a member of the conserved family of GTP-binding cytoskeleton septins. SEPT9_i1 stabilizes HIF-1α and facilitates its cytoplasmic-nuclear translocation. We utilized split yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) methodology to monitor the interaction between HIF-1α and SEPT9_i1 in live cells. N-terminal (YN) and C-terminal (YC) split YFP chimeras with HIF-1α and SEPT9_i1 on both their amino and carboxyl termini were generated. HIF-1α and SEPT9_i1 chimeras were expressed in cancer cells and screened for functional complementation. SEPT9_i1-YN and YC-HIF-1α formed a long-lived highly stable complex upon interaction. The BiFC signal was increased in the presence of hypoxia-mimicking agents. In contrast, YC-ΔHLH-HIF-1α chimera, which lacked the helix-loop-helix domain that is essential for the interaction with SEPT9_i1 as well as the expression of SEPT9_i1 252-379 amino acids fragment required for the interaction with HIF-1α, significantly reduced the BiFC signal. The signal was also reduced when cells were treated with 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, an HSP90 inhibitor that inhibits HIF-1α. It was increased with fourchlorfenuron, a small molecule that increases the interaction between HIF-1α and SEPT9_i1. These results reconfirmed the interaction between HIF-1α and SEPT9_i1 that was imaged in live cells. This BiFC system represents a novel approach for studying the real-time interaction between these two proteins and will allow high-throughput drug screening to identity compounds that disrupt this interaction.
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Sasakura H, Moribe H, Nakano M, Ikemoto K, Takeuchi K, Mori I. Lifespan extension by peroxidase and dual oxidase-mediated ROS signaling through pyrroloquinoline quinone in C. elegans. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:2631-2643. [PMID: 28676501 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.202119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS), originally characterized based on their harmful effects on cells or organisms, are now recognized as important signal molecules regulating various biological processes. In particular, low levels of ROS released from mitochondria extend lifespan. Here, we identified a novel mechanism of generating appropriate levels of ROS at the plasma membrane through a peroxidase and dual oxidase (DUOX) system, which could extend lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans A redox co-factor, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), activates the C. elegans DUOX protein BLI-3 to produce the ROS H2O2 at the plasma membrane, which is subsequently degraded by peroxidase (MLT-7), eventually ensuring adequate levels of ROS. These ROS signals are transduced mainly by the oxidative stress transcriptional factors SKN-1 (Nrf2 or NFE2L2 in mammals) and JUN-1, and partially by DAF-16 (a FOXO protein homolog). Cell biology experiments demonstrated a similarity between the mechanisms of PQQ-induced activation of human DUOX1 and DUOX2 and that of C. elegans BLI-3, suggesting that DUOXs are potential targets of intervention for lifespan extension. We propose that low levels of ROS, fine-tuned by the peroxidase and dual oxidase system at the plasma membrane, act as second messengers to extend lifespan by the effect of hormesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Sasakura
- Neuroscience Institute and Group of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Hiroki Moribe
- Department of Biology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
| | - Masahiko Nakano
- Niigata Research Laboratory, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc., Niigata 950-3112, Japan
| | - Kazuto Ikemoto
- Niigata Research Laboratory, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc., Niigata 950-3112, Japan
| | - Kosei Takeuchi
- Department of Medical Biology, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazako-Karimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Ikue Mori
- Neuroscience Institute and Group of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
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Zhang Z, Liu L, Twumasi-Boateng K, Block DHS, Shapira M. FOS-1 functions as a transcriptional activator downstream of the C. elegans JNK homolog KGB-1. Cell Signal 2016; 30:1-8. [PMID: 27864060 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
JNK proteins are conserved stress-activated MAP kinases. In C. elegans, the JNK-homolog KGB-1 plays essential roles in protection from heavy metals and protein folding stress. However, the contributions of KGB-1 are age-dependent, providing protection in larvae, but reducing stress resistance and shortening lifespan in adults. Attenuation of DAF-16 was linked to the detrimental contributions of KGB-1 in adults, but its involvement in KGB-1-dependent protection in larvae remains unclear. To characterize age-dependent contributions of KGB-1, we used microarray analysis to measure gene expression following KGB-1 activation either in developing larvae or in adults, achieved by knocking down its negative phosphatase regulator vhp-1. This revealed a robust KGB-1 regulon, most of which consisting of genes induced following KGB-1 activation regardless of age; a smaller number of genes was regulated in an age-dependent manner. We found that the bZIP transcription factor FOS-1 was essential for age-invariant KGB-1-dependent gene induction, but not for age-dependent expression. The latter was more affected by DAF-16, which was further found to be required for KGB-1-dependent cadmium resistance in larvae. Our results identify FOS-1 as a transcriptional activator mediating age-invariant contributions of KGB-1, including a regulatory loop of KGB-1 signaling, but also stress the importance of DAF-16 as a mediator of age-dependent contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Limeng Liu
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kwame Twumasi-Boateng
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Graduate Group in Microbiology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dena H S Block
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Michael Shapira
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Graduate Group in Microbiology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Sun X, Lin Y. Npas4: Linking Neuronal Activity to Memory. Trends Neurosci 2016; 39:264-275. [PMID: 26987258 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Immediate-early genes (IEGs) are rapidly activated after sensory and behavioral experience and are believed to be crucial for converting experience into long-term memory. Neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (Npas4), a recently discovered IEG, has several characteristics that make it likely to be a particularly important molecular link between neuronal activity and memory: it is among the most rapidly induced IEGs, is expressed only in neurons, and is selectively induced by neuronal activity. By orchestrating distinct activity-dependent gene programs in different neuronal populations, Npas4 affects synaptic connections in excitatory and inhibitory neurons, neural circuit plasticity, and memory formation. It may also be involved in circuit homeostasis through negative feedback and psychiatric disorders. We summarize these findings and discuss their implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Sun
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yingxi Lin
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Luck AN, Anderson KG, McClung CM, VerBerkmoes NC, Foster JM, Michalski ML, Slatko BE. Tissue-specific transcriptomics and proteomics of a filarial nematode and its Wolbachia endosymbiont. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:920. [PMID: 26559510 PMCID: PMC4642636 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Filarial nematodes cause debilitating human diseases. While treatable, recent evidence suggests drug resistance is developing, necessitating the development of novel targets and new treatment options. Although transcriptomic and proteomic studies around the nematode life cycle have greatly enhanced our knowledge, whole organism approaches have not provided spatial resolution of gene expression, which can be gained by examining individual tissues. Generally, due to their small size, tissue dissection of human-infecting filarial nematodes remains extremely challenging. However, canine heartworm disease is caused by a closely related and much larger filarial nematode, Dirofilaria immitis. As with many other filarial nematodes, D. immitis contains Wolbachia, an obligate bacterial endosymbiont present in the hypodermis and developing oocytes within the uterus. Here, we describe the first concurrent tissue-specific transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of a filarial nematode (D. immitis) and its Wolbachia (wDi) in order to better understand tissue functions and identify tissue-specific antigens that may be used for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Methods Adult D. immitis worms were dissected into female body wall (FBW), female uterus (FU), female intestine (FI), female head (FH), male body wall (MBW), male testis (MT), male intestine (MI), male head (MH) and 10.1186/s12864-015-2083-2 male spicule (MS) and used to prepare transcriptomic and proteomic libraries. Results Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of several D. immitis tissues identified many biological functions enriched within certain tissues. Hierarchical clustering of the D. immitis tissue transcriptomes, along with the recently published whole-worm adult male and female D. immitis transcriptomes, revealed that the whole-worm transcriptome is typically dominated by transcripts originating from reproductive tissue. The uterus appeared to have the most variable transcriptome, possibly due to age. Although many functions are shared between the reproductive tissues, the most significant differences in gene expression were observed between the uterus and testis. Interestingly, wDi gene expression in the male and female body wall is fairly similar, yet slightly different to that of Wolbachia gene expression in the uterus. Proteomic methods verified 32 % of the predicted D. immitis proteome, including over 700 hypothetical proteins of D. immitis. Of note, hypothetical proteins were among some of the most abundant Wolbachia proteins identified, which may fulfill some important yet still uncharacterized biological function. Conclusions The spatial resolution gained from this parallel transcriptomic and proteomic analysis adds to our understanding of filarial biology and serves as a resource with which to develop future therapeutic strategies against filarial nematodes and their Wolbachia endosymbionts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2083-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Luck
- Genome Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Kathryn G Anderson
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, USA
| | - Colleen M McClung
- Chemical Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Nathan C VerBerkmoes
- Chemical Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Jeremy M Foster
- Genome Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA
| | - Michelle L Michalski
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, USA
| | - Barton E Slatko
- Genome Biology Division, New England Biolabs, Inc., 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, USA.
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He K, Zhou T, Shao J, Ren X, Zhao Z, Liu D. Dynamic regulation of genetic pathways and targets during aging in Caenorhabditis elegans. Aging (Albany NY) 2015; 6:215-30. [PMID: 24739375 PMCID: PMC4012938 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Numerous genetic targets and some individual pathways associated with aging have been identified using the worm model. However, less is known about the genetic mechanisms of aging in genome wide, particularly at the level of multiple pathways as well as the regulatory networks during aging. Here, we employed the gene expression datasets of three time points during aging in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and performed the approach of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) on each dataset between adjacent stages. As a result, multiple genetic pathways and targets were identified as significantly down- or up-regulated. Among them, 5 truly aging-dependent signaling pathways including MAPK signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway and ErbB signaling pathway as well as 12 significantly associated genes were identified with dynamic expression pattern during aging. On the other hand, the continued declines in the regulation of several metabolic pathways have been demonstrated to display age-related changes. Furthermore, the reconstructed regulatory networks based on three of aging related Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments followed by sequencing (ChIP–seq) datasets and the expression matrices of 154 involved genes in above signaling pathways provide new insights into aging at the multiple pathways level. The combination of multiple genetic pathways and targets needs to be taken into consideration in future studies of aging, in which the dynamic regulation would be uncovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan He
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei City, Anhui, P. R. China, 230601
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12
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Aprison EZ, Ruvinsky I. Balanced trade-offs between alternative strategies shape the response of C. elegans reproduction to chronic heat stress. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105513. [PMID: 25165831 PMCID: PMC4148340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To ensure long-term reproductive success organisms have to cope with harsh environmental extremes. A reproductive strategy that simply maximizes offspring production is likely to be disadvantageous because it could lead to a catastrophic loss of fecundity under unfavorable conditions. To understand how an appropriate balance is achieved, we investigated reproductive performance of C. elegans under conditions of chronic heat stress. We found that following even prolonged exposure to temperatures at which none of the offspring survive, worms could recover and resume reproduction. The likelihood of producing viable offspring falls precipitously after exposure to temperatures greater than 28°C primarily due to sperm damage. Surprisingly, we found that worms that experienced higher temperatures can recover considerably better, provided they did not initiate ovulation. Therefore mechanisms controlling this process must play a crucial role in determining the probability of recovery. We show, however, that suppressing ovulation is only beneficial under relatively long stresses, whereas it is a disadvantageous strategy under shorter stresses of the same intensity. This is because the benefit of shutting down egg laying, and thus protecting the reproductive system, is negated by the cost associated with implementing this strategy--it takes considerable time to recover and produce offspring. We interpret these balanced trade-offs as a dynamic response of the C. elegans reproductive system to stress and an adaptation to life in variable and unpredictable conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Z. Aprison
- Department of Ecology and Evolution and Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ilya Ruvinsky
- Department of Ecology and Evolution and Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Gissendanner CR, Cardin D, Dubose CJ, El Sayed M, Harmson JS, Praslicka B, Rowan BG. C. elegans nuclear receptor NHR-6 functionally interacts with the jun-1 transcription factor during spermatheca development. Genesis 2013; 52:29-38. [PMID: 24178943 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The NR4A nuclear receptor NHR-6 is an essential regulator of spermatheca organogenesis in C. elegans. In this study, we perform a focused, RNAi-based screen to identify modifiers of partial nhr-6 loss of function. Ninety-eight genes that encode signaling proteins expressed in the spermatheca were screened for enhancement of the nhr-6 RNAi phenotype. We identify the C. elegans gene jun-1, which encodes the homolog of the Jun transcription factor, as a strong enhancer of nhr-6 partial loss of function. We show that nhr-6 and jun-1 function together to regulate development of the spermatheca and are necessary for generating an organ with the normal number of cells. jun-1 is expressed in all cells of the developing spermatheca. We also provide evidence that NHR-6 and JUN-1 can physically interact in a yeast two-hybrid assay. Our results provide in vivo evidence that NR4A nuclear receptor and Jun transcription factor interactions are essential in regulating developmental processes in metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris R Gissendanner
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana, 71209
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The Caenorhabditis elegans JNK signaling pathway activates expression of stress response genes by derepressing the Fos/HDAC repressor complex. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003315. [PMID: 23437011 PMCID: PMC3578760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
MAP kinases are integral to the mechanisms by which cells respond to a wide variety of environmental stresses. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the KGB-1 JNK signaling pathway regulates the response to heavy metal stress. In this study, we identified FOS-1, a bZIP transcription factor, as a target of KGB-1-mediated phosphorylation. We further identified two transcriptional targets of the KGB-1 pathway, kreg-1 and kreg-2/lys-3, which are required for the defense against heavy metal stress. FOS-1 plays a critical role in the transcriptional repression of the kreg-1 gene by recruiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) to its promoter. KGB-1 phosphorylation prevents FOS-1 dimerization and promoter binding, resulting in promoter derepression. Thus, HDAC behaves as a co-repressor modulating FOS-1-mediated transcriptional regulation. This study describes the direct link from JNK signaling, Fos phosphorylation, and regulation of kreg gene transcription, which modulates the stress response in C. elegans.
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A fasting-responsive signaling pathway that extends life span in C. elegans. Cell Rep 2013; 3:79-91. [PMID: 23352664 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2012.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2012] [Revised: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermittent fasting is one of the most effective dietary restriction regimens that extend life span in C. elegans and mammals. Fasting-stimulus responses are key to the longevity response; however, the mechanisms that sense and transduce the fasting stimulus remain largely unknown. Through a comprehensive transcriptome analysis in C. elegans, we find that along with the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16, AP-1 (JUN-1/FOS-1) plays a central role in fasting-induced transcriptional changes. KGB-1, one of the C. elegans JNKs, acts as an activator of AP-1 and is activated in response to fasting. KGB-1 and AP-1 are involved in intermittent fasting-induced longevity. Fasting-induced upregulation of the components of the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex via AP-1 and DAF-16 enhances protein ubiquitination and reduces protein carbonylation. Our results thus identify a fasting-responsive KGB-1/AP-1 signaling pathway, which, together with DAF-16, causes transcriptional changes that mediate longevity, partly through regulating proteostasis.
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Control of oocyte growth and meiotic maturation in Caenorhabditis elegans. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 757:277-320. [PMID: 22872481 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4015-4_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In sexually reproducing animals, oocytes arrest at diplotene or diakinesis and resume meiosis (meiotic maturation) in response to hormones. Chromosome segregation errors in female meiosis I are the leading cause of human birth defects, and age-related changes in the hormonal environment of the ovary are a suggested cause. Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a genetic paradigm for studying hormonal control of meiotic maturation. The meiotic maturation processes in C. elegans and mammals share a number of biological and molecular similarities. Major sperm protein (MSP) and luteinizing hormone (LH), though unrelated in sequence, both trigger meiotic resumption using somatic Gα(s)-adenylate cyclase pathways and soma-germline gap-junctional communication. At a molecular level, the oocyte responses apparently involve the control of conserved protein kinase pathways and post-transcriptional gene regulation in the oocyte. At a cellular level, the responses include cortical cytoskeletal rearrangement, nuclear envelope breakdown, assembly of the acentriolar meiotic spindle, chromosome segregation, and likely changes important for fertilization and the oocyte-to-embryo transition. This chapter focuses on signaling mechanisms required for oocyte growth and meiotic maturation in C. elegans and discusses how these mechanisms coordinate the completion of meiosis and the oocyte-to-embryo transition.
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Singaravelu G, Singson A. Calcium signaling surrounding fertilization in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Cell Calcium 2012; 53:2-9. [PMID: 23218668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2012.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Calcium plays a prominent role during fertilization in many animals. This review focuses on roles of Ca(2+) during the events around fertilization in the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans. Specifically, the role of Ca(2+) in sperm, oocytes and the surrounding somatic tissues during fertilization will be discussed, with the focus on sperm activation, meiotic maturation of oocytes, ovulation, sperm-egg interaction and fertilization.
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Baylis HA, Vázquez-Manrique RP. Genetic analysis of IP3 and calcium signalling pathways in C. elegans. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2011; 1820:1253-68. [PMID: 22146231 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2011.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2011] [Revised: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans is an established model system that is particularly well suited to genetic analysis. C. elegans is easily manipulated and we have an in depth knowledge of many aspects of its biology. Thus, it is an attractive system in which to pursue integrated studies of signalling pathways. C. elegans has a complement of calcium signalling molecules similar to that of other animals. SCOPE OF REVIEW We focus on IP3 signalling. We describe how forward and reverse genetic approaches, including RNAi, have resulted in a tool kit which enables the analysis of IP3/Ca2+ signalling pathways. The importance of cell and tissue specific manipulation of signalling pathways and the use of epistasis analysis are highlighted. We discuss how these tools have increased our understanding of IP3 signalling in specific developmental, physiological and behavioural roles. Approaches to imaging calcium signals in C. elegans are considered. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS A wide selection of tools is available for the analysis of IP3/Ca2+ signalling in C. elegans. This has resulted in detailed descriptions of the function of IP3/Ca2+ signalling in the animal's biology. Nevertheless many questions about how IP3 signalling regulates specific processes remain. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Many of the approaches described may be applied to other calcium signalling systems. C. elegans offers the opportunity to dissect pathways, perform integrated studies and to test the importance of the properties of calcium signalling molecules to whole animal function, thus illuminating the function of calcium signalling in animals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemical, biophysical and genetic approaches to intracellular calcium signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard A Baylis
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Kovacevic I, Cram EJ. FLN-1/filamin is required for maintenance of actin and exit of fertilized oocytes from the spermatheca in C. elegans. Dev Biol 2010; 347:247-57. [PMID: 20707996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2010] [Revised: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 08/03/2010] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Filamin, known primarily for its actin cross-linking function, is a stretch-sensitive structural and signaling scaffold that binds transmembrane receptors and a wide variety of intracellular signaling proteins. The Caenorhabditis elegans filamin ortholog, FLN-1, has a well conserved overall structure, including an N-terminal actin-binding domain, and a series of 20 immunoglobulin (Ig)-like repeats. FLN-1 partially colocalizes with actin filaments in spermathecal and uterine cells. Analysis of phenotypes resulting from a deletion allele and RNAi depletion indicates FLN-1 is required to maintain the actin cytoskeleton in the spermatheca and uterus, and to allow the exit of embryos from the spermatheca. FLN-1 deficient animals accumulate embryos in the spermatheca, lay damaged and unfertilized eggs, and consequently exhibit dramatically reduced brood sizes. The phospholipase PLC-1 is also required for the exit of embryos from the spermatheca, and analysis of doubly mutant animals suggests that PLC-1 and FLN-1 act in the same pathway to promote proper transit of embryos from the spermatheca to the uterus. Given the modular protein structure, subcellular localization, genetic interaction with PLC-1, and known mechanosensory functions of filamin, we postulate that FLN-1 may be required to convert mechanical information about the presence of the oocyte into a biochemical signal, thereby allowing timely exit of the embryo from the spermatheca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismar Kovacevic
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, 134 Mugar Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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