Berger AJ (1999) BMJ "Gonads are the key to a long life."

Berger AJ

[BMJ, 1999]

Biochemists have found that the lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is controlled by its reproductive system, meaning that successful reproduction means a shorter life.

Galindo-Malagn XA et al. (2022) Zootaxa "New species, synonymies and records in the genus Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae) from Colombia."

Moreira FFF, Morales I, Mondragn-F SP, Galindo-Malagn XA

[Zootaxa, 2022]

Rhagovelia medinae sp. nov., of the hambletoni group (angustipes complex), and R. utria sp. nov., of the hirtipes group (robusta complex), are described, illustrated, and compared with similar congeners. Based on the examination of type specimens, six new synonymies are proposed: R. elegans Uhler, 1894 = R. pediformis Padilla-Gil, 2010, syn. nov.; R. cauca Polhemus, 1997 = R. azulita Padilla-Gil, 2009, syn. nov., R. huila Padilla-Gil, 2009, syn. nov., R. oporapa Padilla-Gil, 2009, syn. nov, R. quilichaensis Padilla-Gil, 2011, syn. nov.; and R. gaigei, Drake Hussey, 1947 = R. victoria Padilla-Gil, 2012 syn. nov. The first record from Colombia is presented for R. trailii (White, 1879), and the distributions of the following species are extended in the country: R. cali Polhemus, 1997, R. castanea Gould, 1931, R. cauca Polhemus, 1997, R. gaigei Drake Hussey, 1957, R. elegans Uhler, 1894, R. femoralis Champion, 1898, R. malkini Polhemus, 1997, R. perija Polhemus, 1997, R. sinuata Gould, 1931, R. venezuelana Polhemus, 1997, R. williamsi Gould, 1931, and R. zeteki Drake, 1953.

Kenyon CJ (1988) Science "The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans."

Kenyon CJ

[Science, 1988]

In Caenorhabditis elegans patterns of cell division, differentiation, and morphogenesis can be observed with single-cell resolution in intact, living animals. Mechanisms that determine behaviors of individual cells during development are being dissected by means of genetic, cell biological, and molecular approaches.

Wilm TP et al. (1999) Gene "Ballistic transformation of Caenorhabditis elegans."

Schnabel R, Demel P, Koop HU, Wilm TP, Schnabel H

[Gene, 1999]

A novel method to transform the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is described. DNA coprecipitated with gold particles is shot at worms by means of a helium beam. Transformed worms are either identified by a dominant visible marker or selected by a conditional lethal system.

Ren H et al. (2005) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A "The crystal structure of human adenylate kinase 6: An adenylate kinase localized to the cell nucleus."

Zhang C, Ren H, Luo M, Liang Y, Bennett M, Lu F, Nan J, Eriksson S, Su XD, Zheng X, Wang L, Li L

[Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2005]

Adenylate kinases (AKs) play important roles in nucleotide metabolism in all organisms and in cellular energetics by means of phosphotransfer networks in eukaryotes. The crystal structure of a human AK named AK6 was determined by in-house sulfur single-wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing methods and refined to 2.0-A resolution with a free R factor of 21.8%. Sequence analyses revealed that human AK6 belongs to a distinct subfamily of AKs present in all eukaryotic organisms sequenced so far. Enzymatic assays show that human AK6 has properties similar with other AKs, particularly with AK5. Fluorescence microscopy showed that human AK6 is localized predominantly to the nucleus of HeLa cells. The identification of a nuclear-localized AK sheds light on nucleotide metabolism in the nucleus and the energetic communication between mitochondria and nucleus by means of phosphotransfer networks.

Benecke M et al. (1996) Electrophoresis "(GTG)5 allows the distinction between different isolates of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans."

Schierenberg E, Epplen JT, Benecke M

[Electrophoresis, 1996]

We have not been able to distinguish different isolates from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans by morphological means. However, they differ on the molecular level and strains from several geographic regions can be identified with the help of "genetic fingerprints" using the oligonucleotide probe (GTG)5.

Katz M (2015) Methods Mol Biol "Genetic Methods for Cellular Manipulations in C. elegans."

Katz M

[Methods Mol Biol, 2015]

Neuron manipulation in vivo by ablation, activation, or inactivation, and regulation of gene expression, is essential for dissecting nervous system function. Here we describe genetic means for neuron manipulation in the nematode C. elegans, and provide protocols for generating transgenic animals containing these genetic tools.

Katz M (2022) Methods Mol Biol "Genetic Methods for Cellular Manipulation in C. elegans."

Katz M

[Methods Mol Biol, 2022]

Neuron manipulation in vivo by ablation, activation or inactivation, and regulation of gene expression is essential for dissecting nervous system function. Here we describe genetic means for neuron manipulation in the nematode C. elegans, and provide protocols for generating transgenic animals containing these genetic tools.

Katju V et al. (2008) Genetics "Sex change by gene conversion in a Caenorhabditis elegans fog-2 mutant."

Katju V, Lipinski KJ, Bergthorsson U, Labeau EM

[Genetics, 2008]

Caenorhabditis elegans primarily reproduces as a hermaphrodite. Independent gene conversion events in mutant obligately outcrossing populations of C. elegans (fog-2 (lf)) spontaneously repaired the loss of function mutation in the fog-2 locus, thereby reestablishing hermaphroditism as the primary means of reproduction for the populations.

Melander RJ et al. (2015) Chem Biol "From worms to targeting virulence factors."

Melander C, Melander RJ

[Chem Biol, 2015]

Rising antibiotic resistance means that alternative antibacterial strategies are sorely needed. In this issue, Zhu etal. (2015) report the use of a Caenorhabditis elegans model to validate the Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor LasB as a potential therapeutic target and to identify a LasB inhibitor with invivo efficacy.