1
|
Lee DJ, Eor JY, Kwak MJ, Lee J, Kang AN, Mun D, Choi H, Song M, Kim JN, Kim JM, Yang J, Kim HW, Oh S, Kim Y. Metabolic Regulation of Longevity and Immune Response in Caenorhabditis elegans by Ingestion of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 Using Multi-Omics Analysis. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:1109-1118. [PMID: 38563104 PMCID: PMC11180920 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2402.02025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Probiotics, specifically Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, have garnered attention for their potential health benefits. This study focuses on evaluating the probiotic properties of candidate probiotics L. rhamnosus IDCC 3201 (3201) using the Caenorhabditis elegans surrogate animal model, a well-established in vivo system for studying host-bacteria interactions. The adhesive ability to the host's gastrointestinal tract is a crucial criterion for selecting potential probiotic bacteria. Our findings demonstrated that 3201 exhibits significantly higher adhesive capabilities compared with Escherichia coli OP50 (OP50), a standard laboratory food source for C. elegans and is comparable with the widely recognized probiotic L. rhamnosus GG (LGG). In lifespan assay, 3201 significantly increased the longevity of C. elegans compared with OP50. In addition, preconditioning with 3201 enhanced C. elegans immune response against four different foodborne pathogenic bacteria. To uncover the molecular basis of these effects, transcriptome analysis elucidated that 3201 modulates specific gene expression related to the innate immune response in C. elegans. C-type lectin-related genes and lysozyme-related genes, crucial components of the immune system, showed significant upregulation after feeding 3201 compared with OP50. These results suggested that preconditioning with 3201 may enhance the immune response against pathogens. Metabolome analysis revealed increased levels of fumaric acid and succinic acid, metabolites of the citric acid cycle, in C. elegans fed with 3201 compared with OP50. Furthermore, there was an increase in the levels of lactic acid, a well-known antimicrobial compound. This rise in lactic acid levels may have contributed to the robust defense mechanisms against pathogens. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the probiotic properties of the candidate probiotic L. rhamnosus IDCC 3201 by using multi-omics analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Junpyo Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| | - Ju Young Eor
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| | - Min-Jin Kwak
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| | - Junbeom Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| | - An Na Kang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| | - Daye Mun
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| | - Minho Song
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Nam Kim
- Department of Food Science & Nutrition, Dongseo University, Busan 47011, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Mo Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungwoo Yang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Wook Kim
- College of Life Sciences, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangnam Oh
- Department of Functional Food and Biotechnology, Jeonju University, Jeonju 55069, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghoon Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Rrepublic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Amran A, Pigatto L, Farley J, Godini R, Pocock R, Gopal S. The matrisome landscape controlling in vivo germ cell fates. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4200. [PMID: 38760342 PMCID: PMC11101451 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48283-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The developmental fate of cells is regulated by intrinsic factors and the extracellular environment. The extracellular matrix (matrisome) delivers chemical and mechanical cues that can modify cellular development. However, comprehensive understanding of how matrisome factors control cells in vivo is lacking. Here we show that specific matrisome factors act individually and collectively to control germ cell development. Surveying development of undifferentiated germline stem cells through to mature oocytes in the Caenorhabditis elegans germ line enabled holistic functional analysis of 443 conserved matrisome-coding genes. Using high-content imaging, 3D reconstruction, and cell behavior analysis, we identify 321 matrisome genes that impact germ cell development, the majority of which (>80%) are undescribed. Our analysis identifies key matrisome networks acting autonomously and non-autonomously to coordinate germ cell behavior. Further, our results demonstrate that germ cell development requires continual remodeling of the matrisome landscape. Together, this study provides a comprehensive platform for deciphering how extracellular signaling controls cellular development and anticipate this will establish new opportunities for manipulating cell fates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aqilah Amran
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lara Pigatto
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Johanna Farley
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rasoul Godini
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Roger Pocock
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Sandeep Gopal
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pees B, Peters L, Treitz C, Hamerich IK, Kissoyan KAB, Tholey A, Dierking K. The Caenorhabditis elegans proteome response to two protective Pseudomonas symbionts. mBio 2024; 15:e0346323. [PMID: 38411078 PMCID: PMC11005407 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03463-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans natural microbiota isolates Pseudomonas lurida MYb11 and Pseudomonas fluorescens MYb115 protect the host against pathogens through distinct mechanisms. While P. lurida produces an antimicrobial compound and directly inhibits pathogen growth, P. fluorescens MYb115 protects the host without affecting pathogen growth. It is unknown how these two protective microbes affect host biological processes. We used a proteomics approach to elucidate the C. elegans response to MYb11 and MYb115. We found that both Pseudomonas isolates increase vitellogenin protein production in young adults, which confirms previous findings on the effect of microbiota on C. elegans reproductive timing. Moreover, the C. elegans responses to MYb11 and MYb115 exhibit common signatures with the response to other vitamin B12-producing bacteria, emphasizing the importance of vitamin B12 in C. elegans-microbe metabolic interactions. We further analyzed signatures in the C. elegans response specific to MYb11 or MYb115. We provide evidence for distinct modifications in lipid metabolism by both symbiotic microbes. We could identify the activation of host-pathogen defense responses as an MYb11-specific proteome signature and provide evidence that the intermediate filament protein IFB-2 is required for MYb115-mediated protection. These results indicate that MYb11 not only produces an antimicrobial compound but also activates host antimicrobial defenses, which together might increase resistance to infection. In contrast, MYb115 affects host processes such as lipid metabolism and cytoskeleton dynamics, which might increase host tolerance to infection. Overall, this study pinpoints proteins of interest that form the basis for additional exploration into the mechanisms underlying C. elegans microbiota-mediated protection from pathogen infection and other microbiota-mediated traits.IMPORTANCESymbiotic bacteria can defend their host against pathogen infection. While some protective symbionts directly interact with pathogenic bacteria, other protective symbionts elicit a response in the host that improves its own pathogen defenses. To better understand how a host responds to protective symbionts, we examined which host proteins are affected by two protective Pseudomonas bacteria in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We found that the C. elegans response to its protective symbionts is manifold, which was reflected in changes in proteins that are involved in metabolism, the immune system, and cell structure. This study provides a foundation for exploring the contribution of the host response to symbiont-mediated protection from pathogen infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Pees
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lena Peters
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Christian Treitz
- Systematic Proteome Research and Bioanalytics, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Inga K. Hamerich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kohar A. B. Kissoyan
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andreas Tholey
- Systematic Proteome Research and Bioanalytics, Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Katja Dierking
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Zoological Institute, Christian-Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tran TD, Luallen RJ. An organismal understanding of C. elegans innate immune responses, from pathogen recognition to multigenerational resistance. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 154:77-84. [PMID: 36966075 PMCID: PMC10517082 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been a model for studying infection since the early 2000s and many major discoveries have been made regarding its innate immune responses. C. elegans has been found to utilize some key conserved aspects of immune responses and signaling, but new interesting features of innate immunity have also been discovered in the organism that might have broader implications in higher eukaryotes such as mammals. Some of the distinctive features of C. elegans innate immunity involve the mechanisms this bacterivore uses to detect infection and mount specific immune responses to different pathogens, despite lacking putative orthologs of many important innate immune components, including cellular immunity, the inflammasome, complement, or melanization. Even when orthologs of known immune factors exist, there appears to be an absence of canonical functions, most notably the lack of pattern recognition by its sole Toll-like receptor. Instead, recent research suggests that C. elegans senses infection by specific pathogens through contextual information, including unique products produced by the pathogen or infection-induced disruption of host physiology, similar to the proposed detection of patterns of pathogenesis in mammalian systems. Interestingly, C. elegans can also transfer information of past infection to their progeny, providing robust protection for their offspring in face of persisting pathogens, in part through the RNAi pathway as well as potential new mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Altogether, some of these strategies employed by C. elegans share key conceptual features with vertebrate adaptive immunity, as the animal can differentiate specific microbial features, as well as propagate a form of immune memory to their offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuan D Tran
- Department of Biology San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Robert J Luallen
- Department of Biology San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Griem-Krey H, Petersen C, Hamerich IK, Schulenburg H. The intricate triangular interaction between protective microbe, pathogen and host determines fitness of the metaorganism. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20232193. [PMID: 38052248 PMCID: PMC10697802 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiota shapes host biology in numerous ways. One example is protection against pathogens, which is likely critical for host fitness in consideration of the ubiquity of pathogens. The host itself can affect abundance of microbiota or pathogens, which has usually been characterized in separate studies. To date, however, it is unclear how the host influences the interaction with both simultaneously and how this triangular interaction determines fitness of the host-microbe assemblage, the so-called metaorganism. To address this current knowledge gap, we focused on a triangular model interaction, consisting of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, its protective symbiont Pseudomonas lurida MYb11 and its pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis Bt679. We combined the two microbes with C. elegans mutants with altered immunity and/or microbial colonization, and found that (i) under pathogen stress, immunocompetence has a larger influence on metaorganism fitness than colonization with the protective microbe; (ii) in almost all cases, MYb11 still improves fitness; and (iii) disruption of p38 MAPK signalling, which contributes centrally to immunity against Bt679, completely reverses the protective effect of MYb11, which further reduces nematode survival and fitness upon infection with Bt679. Our study highlights the complex interplay between host, protective microbe and pathogen in shaping metaorganism biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Griem-Krey
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel 24118, Germany
| | - Carola Petersen
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel 24118, Germany
| | - Inga K. Hamerich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel 24118, Germany
| | - Hinrich Schulenburg
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel 24118, Germany
- Antibiotic resistance group, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Petersen C, Hamerich IK, Adair KL, Griem-Krey H, Torres Oliva M, Hoeppner MP, Bohannan BJM, Schulenburg H. Host and microbiome jointly contribute to environmental adaptation. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1953-1965. [PMID: 37673969 PMCID: PMC10579302 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01507-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Most animals and plants have associated microorganisms, collectively referred to as their microbiomes, which can provide essential functions. Given their importance, host-associated microbiomes have the potential to contribute substantially to adaptation of the host-microbiome assemblage (the "metaorganism"). Microbiomes may be especially important for rapid adaptation to novel environments because microbiomes can change more rapidly than host genomes. However, it is not well understood how hosts and microbiomes jointly contribute to metaorganism adaptation. We developed a model system with which to disentangle the contributions of hosts and microbiomes to metaorganism adaptation. We established replicate mesocosms containing the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans co-cultured with microorganisms in a novel complex environment (laboratory compost). After approximately 30 nematode generations (100 days), we harvested worm populations and associated microbiomes, and subjected them to a common garden experiment designed to unravel the impacts of microbiome composition and host genetics on metaorganism adaptation. We observed that adaptation took different trajectories in different mesocosm lines, with some increasing in fitness and others decreasing, and that interactions between host and microbiome played an important role in these contrasting evolutionary paths. We chose two exemplary mesocosms (one with a fitness increase and one with a decrease) for detailed study. For each example, we identified specific changes in both microbiome composition (for both bacteria and fungi) and nematode gene expression associated with each change in fitness. Our study provides experimental evidence that adaptation to a novel environment can be jointly influenced by host and microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carola Petersen
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Inga K Hamerich
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Karen L Adair
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Hanne Griem-Krey
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Marc P Hoeppner
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Hinrich Schulenburg
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany.
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Ploen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Taylor M, Marx O, Norris A. TDP-1 and FUST-1 co-inhibit exon inclusion and control fertility together with transcriptional regulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:9610-9628. [PMID: 37587694 PMCID: PMC10570059 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is a multistep process and crosstalk among regulatory layers plays an important role in coordinating gene expression. To identify functionally relevant gene expression coordination, we performed a systematic reverse-genetic interaction screen in C. elegans, combining RNA binding protein (RBP) and transcription factor (TF) mutants to generate over 100 RBP;TF double mutants. We identified many unexpected double mutant phenotypes, including two strong genetic interactions between the ALS-related RBPs, fust-1 and tdp-1, and the homeodomain TF ceh-14. Losing any one of these genes alone has no effect on the health of the organism. However, fust-1;ceh-14 and tdp-1;ceh-14 double mutants both exhibit strong temperature-sensitive fertility defects. Both double mutants exhibit defects in gonad morphology, sperm function, and oocyte function. RNA-Seq analysis of double mutants identifies ceh-14 as the main controller of transcript levels, while fust-1 and tdp-1 control splicing through a shared role in exon inhibition. A skipped exon in the polyglutamine-repeat protein pqn-41 is aberrantly included in tdp-1 mutants, and genetically forcing this exon to be skipped in tdp-1;ceh-14 double mutants rescues their fertility. Together our findings identify a novel shared physiological role for fust-1 and tdp-1 in promoting C. elegans fertility and a shared molecular role in exon inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Taylor
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Olivia Marx
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Adam Norris
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sánchez-Martínez JD, Cifuentes A, Valdés A. Omics approaches to investigate the neuroprotective capacity of a Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) extract in a Caenorhabditis elegans Alzheimer's model. Food Res Int 2023; 172:113128. [PMID: 37689893 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Citrus sinensis by-products are a promising source of neuroprotective molecules. In this study, a pressurized liquid extract of Citrus by-products (PLE100) has been extensively characterized, and its neuroprotective capacity tested in the Caenorhabditis elegans strain CL4176, a validated in vivo model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). More than 450 compounds have been annotated in the extract, being triacylglycerols (TGs), stigmastanes, fatty acids (FAs) and carbohydrates the most abundant. The results demonstrate that worms PLE100-treated are significantly protected in a dose-dependent manner against the Aβ-peptide paralysis toxicity. The RNA-Seq data showed an alteration of 294 genes mainly related to the stress response defense along with genes involved in the lipid transport and metabolism. Moreover, the comprehensive metabolomics study allowed the identification of 818 intracellular metabolites, of which 54 were significantly altered (mainly lipids). The integration of these and previous results provides with new evidences of the protection mechanisms of this promising extract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandro Cifuentes
- Foodomics Laboratory, CIAL, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Valdés
- Foodomics Laboratory, CIAL, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Doering KRS, Ermakova G, Taubert S. Nuclear hormone receptor NHR-49 is an essential regulator of stress resilience and healthy aging in Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1241591. [PMID: 37645565 PMCID: PMC10461480 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1241591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of Caenorhabditis elegans encodes 284 nuclear hormone receptor, which perform diverse functions in development and physiology. One of the best characterized of these is NHR-49, related in sequence and function to mammalian hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. Initially identified as regulator of lipid metabolism, including fatty acid catabolism and desaturation, additional important roles for NHR-49 have since emerged. It is an essential contributor to longevity in several genetic and environmental contexts, and also plays vital roles in the resistance to several stresses and innate immune response to infection with various bacterial pathogens. Here, we review how NHR-49 is integrated into pertinent signaling circuits and how it achieves its diverse functions. We also highlight areas for future investigation including identification of regulatory inputs that drive NHR-49 activity and identification of tissue-specific gene regulatory outputs. We anticipate that future work on this protein will provide information that could be useful for developing strategies to age-associated declines in health and age-related human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsie R. S. Doering
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Edwin S. H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Glafira Ermakova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Edwin S. H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stefan Taubert
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Edwin S. H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Taylor M, Marx O, Norris A. TDP-1 and FUST-1 co-inhibit exon inclusion and control fertility together with transcriptional regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.537345. [PMID: 37131843 PMCID: PMC10153140 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.537345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression is a multistep, carefully controlled process, and crosstalk between regulatory layers plays an important role in coordinating gene expression. To identify functionally relevant coordination between transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation, we performed a systematic reverse-genetic interaction screen in C. elegans . We combined RNA binding protein (RBP) and transcription factor (TF) mutants, creating over 100 RBP; TF double mutants. This screen identified a variety of unexpected double mutant phenotypes, including two strong genetic interactions between the ALS-related RBPs, fust-1 and tdp-1 , and the homeodomain TF ceh-14 . Losing any one of these genes alone has no significant effect on the health of the organism. However, fust-1; ceh-14 and tdp-1; ceh-14 double mutants both exhibit strong temperature-sensitive fertility defects. Both double mutants exhibit defects in gonad morphology, sperm function, and oocyte function. RNA-seq analysis of double mutants identifies ceh-14 as the main controller of transcript levels, while fust-1 and tdp-1 control splicing through a shared role in exon inhibition. We identify a cassette exon in the polyglutamine-repeat protein pqn-41 which tdp-1 inhibits. Loss of tdp-1 causes the pqn-41 exon to be aberrantly included, and forced skipping of this exon in tdp-1; ceh-14 double mutants rescues fertility. Together our findings identify a novel shared physiological role for fust-1 and tdp-1 in promoting C. elegans fertility in a ceh-14 mutant background and reveal a shared molecular function of fust-1 and tdp-1 in exon inhibition.
Collapse
|
11
|
Liu H, Yu Z, Liu Y, Li M, Chen C, Zhu Z, Liu F, Tan L. Investigation of Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of CLEC4M of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Associated with Immune Microenvironment. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:1317-1332. [PMID: 37089135 PMCID: PMC10115202 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s397695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose C-type lectin domain family 4 member M (CLEC4M) has been found to be involved in the occurrence and development of cancer, but its role in NSCLC remains to be fully explored. Our work aims to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of CLEC4M in NSCLC and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of CLEC4M in the immune microenvironment of NSCLC. Methods Integrating publicly accessible data and clinical tissue samples to verify the expression of CLEC4M in NSCLC. The diagnostic value of CLEC4M was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, nomogram plot, univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were performed to evaluate the prognostic impact of CLEC4M on NSCLC patients. The correlation between CLEC4M and tumor immune infiltration was estimated using TIMER and UALCAN databases. Functional assessments including GO, KEGG pathway and GSEA analyses were implemented to illustrate the potential mechanisms of CLEC4M in NSCLC. Results CLEC4M was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissue, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry of clinical tissues. The high AUC value of ROC curves demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy of CLEC4M in NSCLC. Additionally, low CLEC4M expression was associated with poor survival in NSCLC patients. Furthermore, CLEC4M was found to be significantly associated with tumor immune infiltration, and CLEC4M may be involved in immune activation and proliferation inhibition through the functional assessment, suggesting that CLEC4M may be a therapeutic target for NSCLC patients. Conclusion Our findings reveal CLEC4M is significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues, and illustrate the diagnostic and prognostic value of CLEC4M in NSCLC, as well as its potential serve as an immune-related therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- Department of Precision Medicine Center, The Second People’s Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiping Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yueguang Liu
- Department of Clinicopathology Center, The Second People’s Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingzhen Li
- Department of Precision Medicine Center, The Second People’s Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Precision Medicine Center, The Second People’s Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyu Zhu
- Department of Clinicopathology Center, The Second People’s Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Clinicopathology Center, The Second People’s Hospital of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liming Tan
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Treatment of Huaihua, Huaihua, People’s Republic of China
- School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bhat CG, Budhwar R, Godwin J, Dillman AR, Rao U, Somvanshi VS. RNA-Sequencing of Heterorhabditis nematodes to identify factors involved in symbiosis with Photorhabdus bacteria. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:741. [PMCID: PMC9639317 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08952-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nematodes are a major group of soil inhabiting organisms. Heterorhabditis nematodes are insect-pathogenic nematodes and live in a close symbiotic association with Photorhabdus bacteria. Heterorhabditis-Photorhabdus pair offers a powerful and genetically tractable model to study animal-microbe symbiosis. It is possible to generate symbiont bacteria free (axenic) stages in Heterorhabditis. Here, we compared the transcriptome of symbiotic early-adult stage Heterorhabditis nematodes with axenic early-adult nematodes to determine the nematode genes and pathways involved in symbiosis with Photorhabdus bacteria. Results A de-novo reference transcriptome assembly of 95.7 Mb was created for H. bacteriophora by using all the reads. The assembly contained 46,599 transcripts with N50 value of 2,681 bp and the average transcript length was 2,054 bp. The differentially expressed transcripts were identified by mapping reads from symbiotic and axenic nematodes to the reference assembly. A total of 754 differentially expressed transcripts were identified in symbiotic nematodes as compared to the axenic nematodes. The ribosomal pathway was identified as the most affected among the differentially expressed transcripts. Additionally, 12,151 transcripts were unique to symbiotic nematodes. Endocytosis, cAMP signalling and focal adhesion were the top three enriched pathways in symbiotic nematodes, while a large number of transcripts coding for various responses against bacteria, such as bacterial recognition, canonical immune signalling pathways, and antimicrobial effectors could also be identified. Conclusions The symbiotic Heterorhabditis nematodes respond to the presence of symbiotic bacteria by expressing various transcripts involved in a multi-layered immune response which might represent non-systemic and evolved localized responses to maintain mutualistic bacteria at non-threatening levels. Subject to further functional validation of the identified transcripts, our findings suggest that Heterorhabditis nematode immune system plays a critical role in maintenance of symbiosis with Photorhabdus bacteria. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08952-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaitra G. Bhat
- grid.418196.30000 0001 2172 0814Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Delhi, 110012 India
| | - Roli Budhwar
- Bionivid Technology Private Limited, 209, 4th Cross Rd., B. Channasandra, Kasturi Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560043 India
| | - Jeffrey Godwin
- Bionivid Technology Private Limited, 209, 4th Cross Rd., B. Channasandra, Kasturi Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560043 India
| | - Adler R. Dillman
- grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Department of Nematology, University of California, Riverside, 92521 USA
| | - Uma Rao
- grid.418196.30000 0001 2172 0814Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Delhi, 110012 India
| | - Vishal S. Somvanshi
- grid.418196.30000 0001 2172 0814Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Delhi, 110012 India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ju S, Chen H, Wang S, Lin J, Ma Y, Aroian RV, Peng D, Sun M. C. elegans monitor energy status via the AMPK pathway to trigger innate immune responses against bacterial pathogens. Commun Biol 2022; 5:643. [PMID: 35773333 PMCID: PMC9246835 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03589-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogen recognition and the triggering of host innate immune system are critical to understanding pathogen-host interaction. Cellular surveillance systems have been identified as an important strategy for the identification of microbial infection. In the present study, using Bacillus thuringiensis-Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, we found an approach for surveillance systems to sense pathogens. We report that Bacillus thuringiensis Cry5Ba, a typical pore-forming toxin, caused mitochondrial damage and energy imbalance by triggering potassium ion leakage, instead of directly targeting mitochondria. Interestingly, we find C. elegans can monitor intracellular energy status to trigger innate immune responses via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), secreting multiple effectors to defend against pathogenic attacks. Our study indicates that the imbalance of energy status is a prevalent side effect of pathogen infection. Furthermore, the AMPK-dependent surveillance system may serve as a practicable strategy for the host to recognize and defense against pathogens. Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry5Ba triggers potassium ion leakage, causing mitochondrial damage and energy imbalance. C. elegans can monitor this intracellular energy imbalance via AMP-activated protein kinase to trigger innate immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouyong Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hanqiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shaoying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yanli Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Raffi V Aroian
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Worcester, Worcester, MA, 01605-2377, USA
| | - Donghai Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Ming Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kissoyan KAB, Peters L, Giez C, Michels J, Pees B, Hamerich IK, Schulenburg H, Dierking K. Exploring Effects of C. elegans Protective Natural Microbiota on Host Physiology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:775728. [PMID: 35237530 PMCID: PMC8884406 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.775728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans natural microbiota was described only recently. Thus, our understanding of its effects on nematode physiology is still in its infancy. We previously showed that the C. elegans natural microbiota isolates Pseudomonas lurida MYb11 and P. fluorescens MYb115 protect the worm against pathogens such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). However, the overall effects of the protective microbiota on worm physiology are incompletely understood. Here, we investigated how MYb11 and MYb115 affect C. elegans lifespan, fertility, and intestinal colonization. We further studied the capacity of MYb11 and MYb115 to protect the worm against purified Bt toxins. We show that while MYb115 and MYb11 affect reproductive timing and increase early reproduction only MYb11 reduces worm lifespan. Moreover, MYb11 aggravates killing upon toxin exposure. We conclude that MYb11 has a pathogenic potential in some contexts. This work thus highlights that certain C. elegans microbiota members can be beneficial and costly to the host in a context-dependent manner, blurring the line between good and bad.
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhao X, Qiao J, Zhang P, Zhang Z, Aweya JJ, Chen X, Zhao Y, Zhang Y. Protein Diversity and Immune Specificity of Hemocyanin From Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Front Immunol 2021; 12:772091. [PMID: 34950141 PMCID: PMC8688539 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.772091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemocyanin is an important non-specific innate immune defense molecule with phenoloxidase, antiviral, antibacterial, hemolytic, and antitumor activities. To better understand the mechanism of functional diversity, proteomics approach was applied to characterize hemocyanin (HMC) expression profiles from Litopenaeus vannamei. At first, hemocyanin was purified by Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-cellulose (DE-52) columns from shrimp serum, and 34 protein spots were identified as HMC on the 2-DE gels. Furthermore, we found that 9 HMC spots about 75 or 77 kDa were regulated by Streptococcus agalactiae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection at 6, 12, and 24 h. In addition, 6 different pathogen-binding HMC fractions, viz., HMC-Mix, HMC-Vp, HMC-Va, HMC-Vf, HMC-Ec, and HMC-Sa, showed different agglutinative and antibacterial activities. Moreover, lectin-blotting analysis showed significant differences in glycosylation level among HMC isomers and bacteria-binding HMC fractions. Particularly, the agglutinative activities of the HMC fractions were almost completely abolished when HMC was deglycosylated by O-glycosidase, which suggest that O-linked sugar chains of HMC played important roles in the innate immune recognition. Our findings demonstrated for the first time that L. vannamei HMC had molecular diversity in protein level, which is closely associated with its ability to recognize diverse pathogens, whereas glycan modification probably contributed to HMC’s diversity and multiple immune activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianliang Zhao
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China.,College of Fisheries, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Zehui Zhang
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Jude Juventus Aweya
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Yongzhen Zhao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Yueling Zhang
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pujol N, Ewbank JJ. C. elegans: out on an evolutionary limb. Immunogenetics 2021; 74:63-73. [PMID: 34761293 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-021-01231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The natural environment of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is rich in pathogenic microbes. There is now ample evidence to indicate that these pathogens exert a strong selection pressure on C. elegans, and have shaped its genome, physiology, and behaviour. In this short review, we concentrate on how C. elegans stands out from other animals in terms of its immune repertoire and innate immune signalling pathways. We discuss how C. elegans often detects pathogens because of their effects on essential cellular processes, or organelle integrity, in addition to direct microbial recognition. We illustrate the extensive molecular plasticity that is characteristic of immune defences in C. elegans and highlight some remarkable instances of lineage-specific innovation in innate immune mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Pujol
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France.
| | - Jonathan J Ewbank
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
A variety of effector proteins contribute to host defense in Caenorhabditis elegans. However, beyond lytic enzymes and antimicrobial peptides and proteins, little is known about the exact function of these infection-related effectors. This study set out to identify pathogen-dependent cytokine-like molecules, focusing on C-type lectin domain-containing proteins (CLECs). In total, 38 CLECs that are differentially regulated in response to bacterial infections have been previously identified by microarray and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses in C. elegans. We successfully cloned 18 of these 38 CLECs and chose to focus on CLEC-47 because, among these 18 cloned CLECs, it was the smallest protein and was recombinantly expressed at the highest levels in prokaryotic cells examined by SDS-PAGE. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR/qPCR) showed that the expression of clec-47 was induced by a variety of Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Cutibacterium acnes, but was suppressed by the Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By expressing CLEC-47 in HEK 293 cells, we showed that CLEC-47 is released into the culture media, which the Golgi apparatus inhibitors (brefeldin A [BFA] and GolgiStop) could block. Purified recombinant CLEC-47 (maltose binding protein [MBP]–CLEC-47–His) did not display antimicrobial activity against ESKAPE pathogen isolates but bound directly to murine macrophage J774A.1 cells. Recombinant CLEC-47 attracted and recruited J774A.1 cells in a chemotaxis assay. In addition, qPCR studies and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed that CLEC-47 activates J774A.1 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner to express the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 2 (MIP-2). Moreover, C. elegans, fed with CLEC-47-expressing Escherichia coli, demonstrated enhanced expression of several antimicrobial proteins (CNC-1, CNC-2, CPR-1, and CPR-2) as well as the detoxification protein MTL-1. These data suggest that CLEC-47 functions as a novel cytokine-like signaling molecule and exemplify how the study of infection-related effectors in C. elegans can help elucidate the evolution of immune responses.
Collapse
|
18
|
Zárate-Potes A, Yang W, Andresen B, Nakad R, Haase D, Rosenstiel P, Dierking K, Schulenburg H. The effects of nested miRNAs and their host genes on immune defense against Bacillus thuringiensis infection in Caenorhabditis elegans. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 123:104144. [PMID: 34051205 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA-molecules that influence translation by binding to the target gene mRNA. Many miRNAs are found in nested arrangements within larger protein-coding host genes. miRNAs and host genes in a nested arrangement are often transcribed simultaneously, which may indicate that both have similar functions. miRNAs have been implicated in regulating defense responses against pathogen infection in C. elegans and in mammals. Here, we asked if miRNAs in nested arrangements and their host genes are involved in the C. elegans response against infection with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). We performed miRNA sequencing and subsequently focused on four nested miRNA-host gene arrangements for a functional genetic analysis. We identified mir-58.1 and mir-2 as negative regulators of C. elegans resistance to Bt infection. However, we did not find any miRNA/host gene pair in which both contribute to defense against Bt.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Zárate-Potes
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wentao Yang
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Bentje Andresen
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Rania Nakad
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Daniela Haase
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Philip Rosenstiel
- Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology (IKMB), Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Katja Dierking
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Hinrich Schulenburg
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306, Ploen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|