Sminia TJ et al. (2016) Carbohydr Res "Getting a grip on glycans: A current overview of the metabolic oligosaccharide engineering toolbox."

Zuilhof H, Sminia TJ, Wennekes T

[Carbohydr Res, 2016]

This review discusses the advances in metabolic oligosaccharide engineering (MOE) from 2010 to 2016 with a focus on the structure, preparation, and reactivity of its chemical probes. A brief historical overview of MOE is followed by a comprehensive overview of the chemical probes currently available in the MOE molecular toolbox and the bioconjugation techniques they enable. The final part of the review focusses on the synthesis of a selection of probes and finishes with an outlook on recent and potential upcoming advances in the field of MOE.

Shimada M et al. (2002) Genes Cells "Novel family of CCCH-type zinc-finger proteins, MOE-1, -2 and -3, participates in C. elegans oocyte maturation."

Shimada M, Doi H, Kawahara H

[Genes Cells, 2002]

Background: Oocyte maturation is an important prerequisite for the production of progeny. Although several germ-line mutations have been reported, the precise mechanism by which the last step of oocyte maturation is controlled remains unclear. In Caenorhabditis elegans , CCCH-type zinc-finger proteins have been shown to be involved in germ cell formation, although their involvement in oocyte maturation has not been fully investigated. Results: Using a multiple RNAi technique, we have identified three novel redundant CCCH-type zinc-finger genes, named by us moe-1 , -2 (oma-1 , -2 ) and moe-3 , as a group related by functions and nucleotide sequence. Although a single RNAi of each moe gene was not effective, double or triple RNAi induced defects in oocyte maturation. We found that each moe transcript was expressed from the distal to proximal region of the gonad, while their corresponding proteins are accumulated exclusively in proximal oocytes, with a close association to germ granules. Although MOE-2 protein is rapidly removed from germ granules after fertilization, we found that MOE-2 associates with the centrosome-peripheral structure in dividing blastomeres. Conclusions: Our results suggest that moe gene products are unique multifunctional proteins in terms of their redundancy and characteristic behaviour during the course of oocyte maturation. These gene products participate in processes in the final step of the meiotic cell cycle control, a novel function for CCCH-type zinc-finger family proteins thus far discovered.

Masumi Shimada et al. (2003) International Worm Meeting "Possible roles of MOE-1/OMA-1 CCCH-type zinc-finger family proteins in C. elegans oogenesis and embryogenesis"

Hiroyuki Kawahara, Masumi Shimada

[International Worm Meeting, 2003]

Oocyte maturation is an important prerequisite for the production of progeny. Although several germ-line mutations have been reported, the precise mechanism by which the last step of oocyte maturation is controlled remains unclear. In Caenorhabditis elegans, CCCH-type zinc-finger proteins have been shown to be involved in germ cell formation, although their involvement in oocyte maturation had not been fully investigated. Using a multiple RNAi technique, we have identified three redundant CCCH-type zinc-finger genes, named by us moe-1, -2 and moe-3, as a group related by functions and nucleotide sequence1. Similar results were reported by Detwiler et al.(2001), and they gave the names MOE-1 and MOE-2 to OMA-1 and OMA-2, respectively2. We and Detwiler et al. have found that they have overlapping functions that are crucial for oocyte maturation; i.e. simultaneous removal of these proteins by RNAi induces arrest and expansion of growing oocytes. The results of our in situ hybridization have revealed that each of the moe/oma transcripts is expressed from the distal to proximal region of the gonad, while their corresponding proteins accumulate specifically in the cytoplasm of growing oocytes as well as on P granules. Thus, these gene products participate in processes in the final step of the meiotic cell cycle control, a novel function for CCCH-type zinc-finger family proteins thus far discovered. Although MOE-2/OMA-2 protein is rapidly removed from P granules after fertilization, we found that MOE-2/OMA-2 associated with the centrosome-peripheral structure in dividing blastomeres. Our results suggest that moe/oma gene products are unique multifunctional proteins in terms of their redundancy and characteristic behavior during the course of oocyte maturation and subsequent embryogenesis. 1 Shimada, M., Kawahara, H., and Doi, H. (2002). Genes Cells 7, 933-947. 2 Detwiler, M.R., Reuben, M., Li, X., Rogers, E., and Lin, R. (2001). Dev. Cell 1, 187-199.

Nathalie Velarde et al. (2005) International Worm Meeting "F-actin dynamics in early C. elegans development"

Nathalie Velarde, Fabio Piano

[International Worm Meeting, 2005]

Actin has been shown to play key roles during early development in the C. elegans embryo (Schneider and Bowerman, 2003). However, it has been difficult to faithfully reproduce F-actin dynamics in vivo during early embryogenesis. To visualize F-actin we have generated a transgenic line that uses the F-actin binding domain of Drosophila moesin to decorate endogenous actin filaments with GFP (GFP::Moe). The GFP::Moe fusion line appears to be specific for filamentous actin and allows the visualization of F-actin dynamics in C. elegans in embryos. Preliminary evidence shows that F-actin is very dynamic in many cellular processes from prior to fertilization through the first mitotic cellular division. During fertilization a posterior actin cap forms and then dissipates. Prior to the first cell division F-actin becomes enriched in the anterior, similar to the anterior PAR proteins. As seen in par-3 mutants (Kirby et. al., 1990), depleting the embryo of PAR-6 with RNAi prevents this enrichment, suggesting that PAR-6 and the other anterior PARs may be required for F-actin to accumulate in the anterior. We have also observed the presence of highly dynamic actin comets in the early embryo. Preliminary evidence suggests that these comets may be involved with endocytic processes. Using results from large-scale RNAi surveys, we are employing the GFP::Moe line to perform secondary screening of genes associated with pseudocleavage defects to further characterize this process. We will present our progress in using this GFP::Moe line to study genetic interactions involving actin dynamics in early development.

Yong-Uk Lee et al. (2008) ""Inhibition of developmental processes by flavone in Caenorhabditis elegans and its application to the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus""

Yoongho Lim, Yong-Uk Lee, Yhong-Hee Shim, Ichiro Kawasaki, Wan-Suk Oh, Young-Ki Paik

[2008]

"Flavone (2-phenyl chromone) is one of the well-known plant flavonoids, but its bioactivity is under explored. When Caenorhabditis elegans or C. briggsae were treated with flavone embryonic and larval lethalities were induced. The larval lethality was pronounced in the earlier larval stages. This anti-nematodal effect was also observed for the pinewood nematode, B. xylophilus. LD50 values were approximately 98 μM and 102 μM for B. xylophilus and C. elegans, respectively. Our results indicate that flavone is an active nematicidal compound that should be further investigated for the purpose of developing a potent anthelmintic drug against B. xylophilus. This study was supported by KRF2006-005-J03401, Forest Science and Technology project (S110707L0501101) and the second BK21 (MOE)"

Bainbridge, Chance et al. (2015) International Worm Meeting "Investigating the neuromolecular mechanism for magneto-transduction in C. elegans."

Beron, Celia, Khalil, Moe, Bainbridge, Chance, Boutz, Daniel, Rickert, Trevor, Gokce, Sertan, Ghoashian, Navid, Ward, Kristi, Marcotte, Edward, Pierce-Shimomura, Jonathan, Papoulas, Ophelia, Ben-Yakar, Adela, Vidal-Gadea, Andres

[International Worm Meeting, 2015]

A wide range of organisms use the earth's magnetic field to orient. Much of our understanding about the molecular basis for this behavior comes from work on magnetotactic bacteria. These organisms build nanometer-sized "compasses" from magnetic iron extracted from their environment. Evidence of similar biological magnetite has been reported in many magnetotactic animals (including C. elegans). It remains unclear if and how animals may use these "biological compasses" in this exciting form of sensory transduction. We have recently found that C. elegans readily orients to the magnetic field of the earth in a way that is consistent with a magnetite-based mechanism. Worms appear to use the magnetic field during vertical migrations using an identified a pair of sensory neurons. These neurons are required for magnetotaxis and respond cell-autonomously to earth-strength magnetic fields in calcium imaging experiments. We are attempting to identify the molecular machinery responsible for magnetotransduction using complementary biochemical, genetic and physiological approaches. To determine proteins associated with a hypothetical "worm compass", we performed mass spectrometry on iron particles isolated from C. elegans. Next, to determine whether these proteins are required for magnetotaxis, we assayed the magnetotactic ability of the corresponding mutants. For the subset of mutants that display defective magnetotaxis, we are analyzing the subcellular localization of their respective proteins near candidate compass structures. In parallel, we are testing the requirement of these genes in physiological responses to magnetic fields via calcium imaging. The genetic and behavioral tractability of C. elegans makes this a promising model for elucidating potentially conserved mechanisms by which many animals detect and orient to magnetic fields. .

Liao, Chien-Po et al. (2019) International Worm Meeting "Investigation of the Neural Basis for Conditioned Bacterial Avoidance by Mitochondrial Insults in C. elegans."

Wu, Yu-Chun, Liao, Chien-Po, Pan, Chun-Liang

[International Worm Meeting, 2019]

Internal physiological states sculpt animal behavior. In C. elegans, the preference towards innocuous bacterial food is switched to aversion when the animals are conditioned by internal physiological disturbance, including mitochondrial perturbation. Mitochondria regulate critical cellular functions, such as energy production and metabolic signaling. Disruption of mitochondrial function activates mitochondrial stress response (UPRmt) and genes for bacterial immunity, raising the possibility that UPRmt facilitates conditioned bacterial aversion. We find that conditioned bacterial avoidance is independent of UPRmt but requires sensory experience and neuronal signaling. We identify neurons critical for this behavior, including the ASE and BAG sensory neurons and two pairs of interneurons, AIY and RIC. Supporting these findings, we show that carbon dioxide, which BAG senses, and octopamine, the neurotransmitter secreted by RIC, are required for bacterial avoidance. These observations provide a neural basis for conditioned bacterial aversion upon mitochondrial insults. (supported by National Health Research Institutes NHRI EX108-10830NI, the Ministry of Education MOE 107L9014, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan MOST H77F/002, MOST 107-3017-F-002-002, MOST 107-2320-B-002-055-MY3).

Sun-Hee Ko et al. (2008) ""Characterization of germline proliferation defective mutant, bn119 in Caenorhabditis elegans""

Yhong-Hee Shim, Ah-Reum Lee, Susan Strome, Sun-Hee Ko

[2008]

"A newly hatched larva has four gonadal primordial cells. Z1 and Z4 give rise to the somatic gonad. Z2 and Z3 give rise to the germ cells. The number of germ cells increases during larval stage from 2 to about 1,000 in hermaphrodite. EMS-isolated bn119 mutant showed germline proliferation defects. In bn119, first larval stage worms contained Z2 and Z3 but germ cell proliferation was blocked during the later larval stages. There were only a few germ cells without gametes even in adulthood. However, distal tip cells and sheath cells were present. Linkage analysis with genetic markers showed that bn119 was located 1% from unc-29(e1072) on chromosome I. Snip-SNPs placed bn119 in the interval between pKP1123 and pKP1125. Complementation test indicated that bn119 was located the right breakpoint of qDf6, where F55A3 resides. In addition, we identified that bn116 is allelic to bn119. Molecular cloning of bn119 is in progress.This study was supported by Forest Science and Technology project (S110707L0501101) and the second BK21 (MOE)"

Ewert A et al. (1975) J Parasitol "Distribution and development of Brugia malayi in reinfected cats."

Bosworth W, Ewert A

[J Parasitol, 1975]

At various time periods after an initial exposure to 50 Brugia malayi larvae on one hind foot cats were reexposed to an additional 50 larvae in one of 3 ways: on the previously infected limb only, on the contralateral, uninfected limb only, or on both hind limbs simultaneously. At the time of reexposure uninfected controls were exposed to 50 larvae on one hind foot in a similar manner. From 2 to 4 weeks after reexposure to larvae, the cats were necropsied and the appropriate lymph nodes and vessels examined for adult or developing worms. An existing infection in one limb did not influence early migration or development of larvae introduced into the contralateral leg. Previous infection in the same limb did not consistently result in decreases in the number of developing larvae from the second exposure but did alter the distrubution of larvae. In repeat infections, larvae were consistently located in a moe distal area of the limb than were larvae from an initial infection at a comparable time.

Yong-Uk Lee et al. (2006) East Asia C. elegans Meeting "Anti-oxidative activity of hesperidin in Caenorhabditis elegans"

Young-Hee Park, Yhong-Hee Shim, Yong-Uk Lee, Yoong-Ho Lim

[East Asia C. elegans Meeting, 2006]

Flavonoids produced in plants have anti-oxidative activity showing various effects on animal cells. Due to its simplicity, convenience and a complete genome sequence, C. elegans is an ideal animal model organism to investigate effects of flavonoids. Assay for resistance to oxidative stress was performed to measure anti-oxidative activity of flavonoids after inducing oxidative stress in worms by paraquat (1,1<SUP>,</SUP>-dimethyl-4-4<SUP>,</SUP>-bipyridinium dichloride hydrate). Synchronized worms were grown at 20&deg;C until they reached at a gravid adult stage on plates containing each of quercetin, rutin hydrate, naringenin, naringin, hesperitin and hesperidin. Worms treated with flavonoids were transferred to 80 mM paraquat solution and incubated for 20 h at 20&deg;C. Worms were then transferred onto a fresh agar plate, recovered for 1 h and scored for survival. Survival rates were measured by counting live worms. Hesperidin showed the relatively strong anti-oxidative activity when internal reactive oxygen species were generated by paraquat in C. elegans. This study was supported by KRF2004-F00019 (KRF) and the second BK21 (MOE)