Rathor L et al. (2018) Exp Gerontol "Age-induced diminution of free radicals by Boeravinone B in Caenorhabditis elegans."

Pandey R, Rathor L

[Exp Gerontol, 2018]

Oxidative damage is accrual of molecular deterioration from reactive oxygen species (ROS) while decrease in generation of ROS is related with free radical scavenging enzymes. Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae) derived novel molecule Boeravinone B (BOB) possesses a variety of pharmacological activities, yet their anti-aging potential has not been explored. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of BOB mediated oxidative stress resistance and lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that the BOB significantly extends the lifespan of C. elegans with its anti-oxidative potential via reducing accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). BOB was found to recover the shortened lifespan of oxidative stress prone mutants mev-1 and gas-1 (14.75 and 16.11%, respectively). Additionally, this finding supported by the reduced ROS levels seen in BOB treated worms. Further, the effective concentration of BOB (25M) significantly enhanced the expressions of target genes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD-3), glutathione-S-transferase (GST-4) and heat shock protein (HSP-16.2) fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), and it does so by modulating the stress-related signaling pathways (SEK-1) and transcription factors (SKN-1/Nrf and DAF-16/Foxo). Moreover, BOB exposure (25M) caused significant changes of age-dependent biomarkers such as pharyngeal pumping, body bend, locomotor activity and lipofuscin accumulation were also showed that BOB retards the aging. Overall, the findings highlight the antioxidant supplement triggering pharmaceutical potential of BOB which may serve as a new future perspective for healthy aging or delayed onset of oxidative related diseases.

Shaham S et al. (1992) Worm Breeder's Gazette "Molecular Analysis of the Cell Death Gene ced-3"

Horvitz HR, Shaham S

[Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1992]

MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF THE CELL DEATH GENE ced-3 Shai Shaham and Bob Horvitz ~lMI, Dept. Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139

Jin YS et al. (1994) Worm Breeder's Gazette "unc-25 Encodes a C. elegans Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD)"

Horvitz HR, Jin YS

[Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1994]

unc-25 encodes a C elegans glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) Yishi Jin and Bob Horvitz, HHMI, Dept. Biology, Mrr, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

Beitel GJ et al. (1992) Worm Breeder's Gazette "The Synthetic Multivulva Gene lin-9 Encodes a Novel Protein"

Horvitz HR, Beitel GJ

[Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1992]

THE SYNTHETIC MULTIVULVA GENE lin-9 ENCODES A NOVEL PROTEIN Greg Beitel and Bob Horvitz HHMI, Dept. Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA (617) 253-5820

Hengartner MO et al. (1992) Worm Breeder's Gazette "unc-50, a Gene Required for Acetylcholine Receptor Function, Encodes an Unfamiliar Protein"

Horvitz HR, Tsung N, Hengartner MO, Lewis JA

[Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1992]

unc-50, a gene requiired for acetylcholine receptor function, encodes an unfamiliar protein Michael Hengartner, Nancy Tsung, Jim Lewist, and Bob Horvitz HHMI, Dept. Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. t Division of Life Sciences, U. of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, IX 78249

Kagawa H et al. (1992) Worm Breeder's Gazette "Head and Tail of the unc-15, Paramyosin Gene."

Kuroda K, Kagawa H

[Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1992]

We have determined the 5' noncoding and the 3' noncoding ends of the unc-15 cDNA clones which were obtained from cDNA library(provided from Bob Barstead and Bob Waterston, Washington University). The 5' end of the message lies 59base pairs upstream of the initiation codon and 58base pairs downstream of the Tc1 insert of r408 (Mori et al, 1988). Tc1 insertion to 5' inititiation site of the unc-15 gene might interfere transcription of the paramyosin gene. 3'end of the cDNA clone lies 14 base pairs downstream of the second poly A signal of the unc-15 gene. On the contrary of the unc-54 gene(Aryana et al, WBG Vol. 12, #2, p73 ),the unc-15 gene used normal poly A addition signal. cDNA clone has an insert of full-length of the message and produced whole size paramyosin in bacteria which may be useful in vitro assembly of the protein.[See Figures 1 & 2].

Ceron, Julian et al. (2009) International Worm Meeting "Towards making a Functional Map for splicing-related genes in C. elegans."

Schwartz, Simo, DUPUY, Denis, FONTRODONA, Laura, CERON, Julian, Rebora, Karine, Baillie, Dave, Jhonsen, Bob, Ferrer, Monica, Gugignard, Leo

[International Worm Meeting, 2009]

We intend to build a functional map for splicing-related genes completing and revising previous genomics information with high-quality functional data. Genes implicated in splicing may have multiple and diverse cellular functions but these genes commonly are essential for the animals viability therefore making it difficult to unravel their mode of action. To overcome this difficulty we will combine the information obtained by RNAi and mutant phenotypes (Phenome), expression patterns (Localizome) and protein-protein interactions (Interactome) to uncover gene functions. As an initial step towards building a functional network for 192 splicing-related components in C. elegans, we are doing experiments with the 18 Sm and Sm-like gene family members. We have created RNAi clones for some of these genes and we are building a Phenome map based on numerous RNAi assays. By PCR stitching we made promoter::GFP constructs for all family members, and all of them gave expression as transgenes. These 18 reporters are being carefully analyzed by microscopy and Chronograms profiling. Preliminary results from these Phenome and Localizome studies point towards a variety of functions among Sm and Sm-like family members. Moreover, we are currently cloning ORFs and gene fragments into a bait vector to perform Yeast Two Hybrid screens that should improve and expand the Interactome Map for these genes. All these information will be integrated by using bioinformatics tools to build a pilot Functional Map for splicing-related genes. Due to the high levels of sequence conservation of splicing-related genes through evolution, we believe that the existence of high-confidence functional maps for splicing-related components in C. elegans will shed-light into the complexity of splicing-related mechanisms.

Riddle DL et al. (1980) Worm Breeder's Gazette "announcements"

Swanson MM, Riddle DL

[Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1980]

The Caehorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC), sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, was funded on September 30, 1979. Dr. Don Murray is the NIA Project Officer. As you know, the CGC is to be responsible for strain acquisition, banking and distribution. Strains will be available without cost to all qualified investigators pursuing genetics-related studies with C. elegans. Other CGC functions will include maintenance of the genetic map, coordination of genetic nomenclature and maintenance of a current data bank on all strains, including bibliographic information. During the first year, we will be developing a computerized system for storage and retrieval of this information. The program will be designed to allow other labs with CRT terminals remote access to the computer data files. We have recently mailed a questionnaire regarding your anticipated use of the Center's services. Since your responses may help us to modify the design of the services to be offered, we would appreciate your returning those questionnaires as soon as possible if you have not already done so. If you did not receive our mailing and anticipate using the CGC, please contact us. We plan to maintain a complete library of articles on Caenorhabditis, so we would appreciate it if you also would send us one copy of each of your Caenorhabditis publications. We have recently done a retrospective search of the literature and will soon be distributing a complete C. elegans bibliography as a supplement to this Newsletter. The new bibliography contains about 350 references, and we plan to update it with each future issue of the Newsletter. We would like to thank Bob Herman for the excellent job he has done as a volunteer stock distribution center. The immensely valuable work that Bob Herman and Bob Horvitz have done on the genetic map surely is apparent to everyone. Bob Herman will be supplying us with many strains he has received from other laboratories and we hope to have a relatively up-to-date C. elegans collection in a few months. The CGC is scheduled to be fully operational by the Fall of 1980, but some services are available now.

Fraser A (2003) Nat Genet "Worms in L.A."

Fraser A

[Nat Genet, 2003]

In the year that the Nobel Prize was awarded to Sydney Brenner, Bob Horvitz and Sir John Suslton, the 14th International C. elegans meeting was bound to be a celebration as well as a scientific meeting and social get-together. The celebratory mood reached its high point during the keynote address by Sydney Brenner, the 'Father of the Worm'. The address was classic Brenner, at once provocative and Delphic, with incisive analogies, witty anecdotes and sweeping dismissals (systems biology did not fare well), all delivered with his usual flair.

Kitamura S et al. (1993) Worm Breeder's Gazette "Troponin I and C Genes of Caenorhabditis elegans"

Kagawa H, Kuroda K, Kitamura S, Obinata T

[Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1993]

We have been working on how muscle gene effects on the phenotype of individual. Although total genome project is going on, molecular nature of muscle proteins are still obscure. We cloned cDNAs of troponin I and troponin C by screening cDNA library(Bob Barstead and Bob Waterston) with antitroponin I and antitroponin C against purified Ascalis proteins respectively. These antibodies crossreacted with the muscle structure and isolated proteins of C. elegans. cDNA sequence of troponin I was the same as that of the both cDNA clones, cm15 e4 (96%; 290/302) and cm20 cl(93%;344/367). It was noted that MRC sequence was much fit to the final sequence than that of St Louis. Completed cDNA encoded 242 amino acids and had molecular mass of 27,558. In vertebrates, there are alternative splicing in the C-terminal half of the molecule. We have not yet known whether or not there is an isoform in the worm The final genome map located on YAC clone, Y52C9 ,the central of chromosome X. The genome sequencing is in progress by recloning fragment from cosmid clone. Troponin C is one of calcium binding proteins in muscle. cDNA of the troponin C was cloned by expression cloning not by hybridization approaches with cDNA probe of chicken troponin C. Deduced amino acid was 161 amino acids. It is interested that the troponin C had three calcium binding domains. In vertebrate, there are four calcium bindings. Missing the first calcium binding domain in the worm might be some functional reasons. The genome mapping was performed by screening YAC filter with ECL(enhanced chemiluminescenst detection, Amersham) method and conventional radiolabeling(Alan Coulson). The results were consistent to each other. The final position of tnc-1 was close to the unc-38 (acetylcholine receptor) on the central of chromosome I. There could be a mutant of muscle related at region(Bob Waterston and Bem Wiliams). E-mail communication will accelerate to solve the question .