37 Papers found (0.01 seconds)

Lee JE et al. (2011) J Biol Chem "STR-33, a novel G protein-coupled receptor that regulates locomotion and egg laying in Caenorhabditis elegans."

Jeong PY, Kim H, Paik YK, Lee TH, Koo H, Joo HJ, Lee JE

[

J Biol Chem,

2011]

Despite their predicted functional importance, most G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in Caenorhabditis elegans have remained largely uncharacterized. Here, we focused on one GPCR, STR-33, encoded by the str-33 gene, which was discovered through a ligand-based screening procedure. To characterize STR-33 function, we performed UV-trimethylpsolaren mutagenesis and isolated an str-33-null mutant. The resulting mutant showed hypersinusoidal movement and a hyperactive egg-laying phenotype. Two types of egg laying-related mutations have been characterized: egg laying-deficient (Egl-d) and hyperactive egg laying (Egl-c). The defect responsible for the egg laying-deficient Egl-d phenotype is related to G(q) signaling, whereas that responsible for the opposite, hyperactive egg-laying Egl-c phenotype is related to G(o) signaling. We found that the hyperactive egg-laying defect of the str-33(ykp001) mutant is dependent on the G protein GOA-1/G(o). Endogenous acetylcholine suppressed egg laying in C. elegans via a G(o)-signaling pathway by inhibiting serotonin biosynthesis or release from the hermaphrodite-specific neuron. Consistent with this, in vivo expression of the serotonin biosynthetic enzyme, TPH-1, was up-regulated in the str-33(ykp001) mutant. Taken together, these results suggest that the GPCR, STR-33, may be one of the neurotransmitter receptors that regulates locomotion and egg laying in C. elegans.

Xu X et al. (2005) FEBS Lett "Linking integrin to IP(3) signaling is important for ovulation in Caenorhabditis elegans."

Lee M, Shih HY, Seo S, Xu X, Ahn J, Lee D

[

FEBS Lett,

2005]

Signals from germ and myoepithelial sheath cells initiate ovulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. The coordinated dilation and contraction of spermatheca lead to subsequent fertilization of oocyte. Either the dominant negative mutant pat-3 beta integrin or disruption of talin expression block ovulation [Cram, E.J., Clark, S.G. and Schwarzbauer, J.E. (2003) Talin loss-of-function uncovers roles in cell contractility and migration in C. elegans. J. Cell. Sci. 116, 3871-3878; Lee, M., Cram, E.J., Shen, B. and Schwarzbauer, J.E. (2001) Role of beta pat-3 integrins in development and function of Caenorhabditis elegans muscles and gonads. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 36404-36410], suggesting that the interaction between the cell and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is also important for ovulation. Here, we report that integrin plays an essential role in fertility via IP(3) signaling. Sterility caused by RNAi of pat-3 and ECM molecules was suppressed by increased IP(3) signaling. Our data suggest that the cell-ECM interaction controls ovulation via IP(3) signaling.

Lee C et al. (2017) Bio Protoc "Single-molecule RNA Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (smFISH) in Caenorhabditis elegans."

Sorensen EB, Lee C, Seidel HS, Lynch TR, Crittenden SL, Kimble J

[

Bio Protoc,

2017]

Single-molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) is a technique to visualize individual RNA molecules using multiple fluorescently-labeled oligonucleotide probes specific to the target RNA ( Raj et al., 2008 ; Lee et al., 2016a ). We adapted this technique to visualize RNAs in the C. elegans whole adult worm or its germline, which enabled simultaneous recording of nascent transcripts at active transcription sites and mature mRNAs in the cytoplasm ( Lee et al., 2013 and 2016b). Here we describe each step of the smFISH procedure, reagents, and microscope settings optimized for C. elegans extruded gonads.

Dawes-Hoang RE et al. (2003) Dev Cell "Bringing classical embryology to C elegans gastrulation."

Zallen JA, Wieschaus EF, Dawes-Hoang RE

[

Dev Cell,

2003]

In a recent paper, Lee and Goldstein develop an explant assay that recapitulates key aspects of gastrulation in C. elegans and permits classical embryological manipulations. The resulting detailed analysis of cell behavior will ultimately extend to broader issues, such as, whether morphogenesis can be described as the sum of single-cell events or if unique phenomena emerge at the multicellular level.

Hipkiss AR (2007) Mech Ageing Dev "On why decreasing protein synthesis can increase lifespan."

Hipkiss AR

[

Mech Ageing Dev,

2007]

An explanation is offered for the increased lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans when mRNA translation is inhibited due to loss of the initiation factor IFE-2 [Hansen, M., Taubert, T., Crawford, D., Libina, N., Lee, S.-J., Kenyon, C., 2007. Lifespan extension by conditions that inhibit translation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Ageing Cell 6, 95-110; Pan, K.Z., Palter, J.E., Rogers, A.N., Olsen, A., Chen, D., Lithgow, G.J., Kapahi, P., 2007. Inhibition of mRNA translation extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Ageing Cell 6, 111-119; Syntichaki, P., Troulinaki, K., Tavernarakis, N., 2007. eIF4E function in somatic cells modulates ageing in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature 445, 922-926]. It is suggested that the general reduction of protein synthesis, due to the decreased frequency of mRNA translation, also lowers the cellular load of erroneously synthesized polypeptides which the constitutive protein homeostatic apparatus (proteases and chaperones proteins) normally eliminates. This situation results in "spare" proteolytic and chaperone function which can then deal with those proteins modified post-synthetically, e.g. by oxidation and/or glycation, which are thought to contribute to the senescent phenotype. This increased availability of proteolytic and chaperone functions may thereby contribute to the observed increase in organism stress resistance and lifespan.

Bauer, Jack et al. (2021) MicroPubl Biol

Labb, Jean-Claude, Lacroix, La, Bauer, Jack

[

MicroPubl Biol,

2021]

To perturb actomyosin function in the primordial germ line, we first monitored germ line organization in L1-stage animals bearing temperature-sensitive (ts) alleles in genes encoding actomyosin regulators and that were reported to interfere with cytokinesis during embryogenesis (Davies et al. 2014). Previous work demonstrated that the initial stages of germline expansion occur normally in cyk-4(ts) and zen-4(ts) animals raised at restrictive temperature from the L1 stage (Lee et al. 2018). We found that primordial germ line organization in cyk-1(ts), nmy-2(ts), cyk-4(ts) or zen-4(ts) L1 larvae maintained at restrictive temperature for 12h was no different than control (Figure 1A-B). Furthermore, the first primordial germ cell (PGC) division occurred normally upon feeding these animals at restrictive temperature with typical bacterial food (E. coli OP50). As noted previously (Lee et al. 2018), germ line disorganization and sterility were observed in all cases when animals reached adulthood (Figure 1B).

Miranda MC et al. (2024) MicroPubl Biol "Investigating the effects of antipsychotic drugs as a treatment for improving the activity of the unc-33 /Dpysl2 gene in C. elegans."

Miranda MC, Hyde J, Holgado A, Salazar K, Bell B

[

MicroPubl Biol,

2024]

Prenatal stress is hypothesized to contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Lee and colleagues determined that prenatal stress in rats decreases levels of Dpysl2, which is found to be inactivated in schizophrenic patients. UNC-33 , the homolog to Dpysl2 in C. elegans , is important for axonal outgrowth and synapse formation. Herein, we study the effects of antipsychotic drugs on developing C.elegans exposed to stress through high temperatures. Results indicate that the unc-33 promoter was not impacted by antipsychotic drug treatment, but the lifespan was decreased.

Neuhaus K et al. (2016) Arch Microbiol "Probiotic Enterococcus faecalis Symbioflor() down regulates virulence genes of EHEC in vitro and decrease pathogenicity in a Caenorhabditis elegans model."

Spanier B, Zolch B, Vogel RF, Ehrmann MA, Simon S, Lamparter MC, Neuhaus K, Landstorfer R

[

Arch Microbiol,

2016]

Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC) shorten the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans compared to avirulent bacteria. Co-feeding EHEC with Enterococcus faecalis Symbioflor() significantly increased the worms' lifespan. The transcriptome of EHEC grown in vitro with or without Symbioflor() was analyzed using RNA-seq. The analysis revealed downregulation of several virulence-associated genes in the presence of Symbioflor(), including virulence key genes (e.g., LEE, flagellum, quorum-sensing). The downregulation of the LEE genes was corroborated by lux-transposon mutants. Upregulated genes included acid response genes, due to a decrease in pH exerted by Symbioflor(). Further genes indicate cellular stress in EHEC (e.g. prophage/mobile elements involved in excision, cell lysis, and cell division inhibition). Thus, the observed protection of C. elegans during an EHEC infection by the probiotic Symbioflor() is suggested to be caused by triggering concomitant transcriptomic changes. To verify the biological relevance of this modulation, exemplary genes found to be influenced by Symbioflor() were knocked out (fliD, espB, Z3136, Z3917, and L7052). The lifespan of nematodes changed when using knock-outs as food source and the effect could be complemented in trans. In summary, Symbioflor() appears to be a protective probiotic in the nematode model.

Wang ST et al. (2021) Mol Microbiol "OmpR coordinates the expression of virulence factors of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in the alimentary tract of Caenorhabditis elegans."

Wang ST, Kuo CJ, Chen JW, Chen CS, Lee TM, Huang CW

[

Mol Microbiol,

2021]

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), an enteropathogen that colonizes in the intestine, causes severe diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis in humans by the expression of the type III secretion system (T3SS) and Shiga-like toxins (Stxs). However, how EHEC can sense and respond to the changes in the alimentary tract and coordinate the expression of these virulence genes remains elusive. The T3SS-related genes are known to be regulated by the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded regulators, such as Ler, as well as non-LEE-encoded regulators in response to different environmental cues. Herein, we report that OmpR, which participates in the adaptation of E. coli to osmolarity and pH alterations, is required for EHEC infection in Caenorhabditis elegans. OmpR protein was able to directly bind to the promoters of ler and stx1 (Shiga-like toxin 1) and regulate the expression of T3SS and Stx1, respectively, at the transcriptional level. Moreover, we demonstrated that the expression of ler in EHEC is in response to the intestinal environment and is regulated by OmpR in C. elegans. Taken together, we reveal that OmpR is an important regulator of EHEC which coordinates the expression of virulence factors during gastrointestinal infection in vivo.

Miller MA et al. (2001) Science "A sperm cytoskeletal protein that signals oocyte meiotic maturation and ovulation."

Schedl TB, Kosinski ME, Miller MA, Lee MH, Greenstein D, Caprioli RM, Nguyen VQ

[

Science,

2001]

Caenorhabditis elegans oocytes, like those of most animals, arrest during meiotic prophase. Sperm promote the resumption of meiosis (maturation) and contraction of smooth muscle-like gonadal sheath cells, which are required for ovulation. We show that the major sperm cytoskeletal protein (MSP) is a bipartite signal for oocyte maturation and sheath contraction. MSP also functions in sperm locomotion, playing a role analogous to actin. Thus, during evolution, MSP has acquired extracellular signaling and intracellular cytoskeletal functions for reproduction. Proteins with MSP-like domains are found in plants, fungi, and other animals, suggesting that related signaling functions may exist in other phyla.AD - Department of Cell Biology, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.FAU - Miller, M AAU - Miller MAFAU - Nguyen, V QAU - Nguyen VQFAU - Lee, M HAU - Lee MHFAU - Kosinski, MAU - Kosinski MFAU - Schedl, TAU - Schedl TFAU - Caprioli, R MAU - Caprioli RMFAU - Greenstein, DAU - Greenstein DLA - engID - CA09592/CA/NCIID - GM57173/GM/NIGMSID - GM58008/GM/NIGMSID - HD07043/HD/NICHDID - HD25614/HD/NICHDPT - Journal ArticleCY - United StatesTA - ScienceJID - 0404511RN - 0 (Carrier Proteins)RN - 0 (Helminth Proteins)RN - 0 (MAP Kinase Signaling System)RN - 0 (Membrane Proteins)RN - 0 (Recombinant Proteins)RN - 0 (VAP-33 protein)RN - 0 (major sperm protein, nematode)RN - EC 2.7.1.- (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases)SB - IM

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