Wright KA (1980) "Nematode sense organs."

Wright KA

[1980]

Nematodes have long been recognized to have peripherally located sense organs. These comprise modifications of the cuticle as papillae, pores, or setae associated with an underlying nerve process. However, their generally small size precluded any in-depth understanding of either structure or function. As recently as 1971 a review of nematode anatomy considered the nature and function of nematode sense organs within only three and a half pages. Only 5 years later, McLaren required 70 pages to review the same subject, primarily because of the recent contributions from electron microscopic studies. Although most of these studies were of animal parasites, similar studies of plant-parasitic species followed quickly, and in 1975 two major papers were published dealing with the free-living microbial feeder, Caenorhabditis elegans. This nematode has been extensively studied as a model system to investigate developmental processes, and, since it is small, it has been feasible to reconstruct with great accuracy the total cellular composition of various parts of its anatomy. These studies in turn allow us to reappraise others, especially those of the larger animal parasites where cell identities are often harder to trace. They have also shown that nerves are associated with internal tissues of the body in manners suggesting that they may monitor internal functions or detect external stimuli capable of penetrating body tissues. It therefore seems important to recognize two classes of sensory organs (1) cuticular or peripheral sense organs, and (2) internal sensory

Gruber J et al. (2009) FEBS Lett "Deceptively simple but simply deceptive--Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan studies: considerations for aging and antioxidant effects."

Gruber J, Halliwell B, Ng LF, Poovathingal SK

[FEBS Lett, 2009]

The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is increasingly popular as a model organism for aging studies as well as for testing antioxidants and other compounds for effects on longevity. However, results in the literature are sometimes confusing and contradictory. This review introduces C. elegans as a model organism, discusses aspects that make it attractive for aging and antioxidant research, and addresses some problems and potential artifacts.

Fitch DH (2005) Curr Biol "Evolution: an ecological context for C. elegans."

Fitch DH

[Curr Biol, 2005]

Despite low global diversity among natural populations of Caenorhabditis elegans, neighboring populations can be as genetically distinct as strains from different continents, probably owing to transient bottlenecks and ongoing dispersal as a dauer larva. Selfing predominates in the wild, but rare outcrossing may also play an important role.

Felix MA (2004) Curr Biol "Genomes: a helpful cousin for our favourite worm."

Felix MA

[Curr Biol, 2004]

The recently published genome of the nematdoe Caenorhabditis briggsae provides a drastic improvement in structural annotation of the C. elegans genome, as well as a promising source of evolutionary comparisons.

Dodd RB et al. (2001) Glycobiology "Lectin-like proteins in model organisms: implications for evolution of carbohydrate-binding activity."

Drickamer K, Dodd RB

[Glycobiology, 2001]

Classes of intracellular lectins that recognize core-type structures and mediate intracellular glycoprotein trafficking are present in vertebrates, model invertebrates such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, plants, and yeasts. Lectins that recognize more complex structures at the cell surface, such as C-type lectins and galectins, are also found in invertebrate organisms as well as vertebrates, but the functions of these proteins have evolved differently in different animal lineages.

Das P et al. (1999) Cytokine Growth Factor Rev "Genetic approaches to TGFbeta signaling pathways."

Padgett RW, Das P, Maduzia LL

[Cytokine Growth Factor Rev, 1999]

In this review, we provide a summary of the genetic analysis of TGFBeta signal transduction, as well as its role in various human diseases and mouse models. We also use discoveries in the TGFBeta pathway as an example to highlight some of the techniques used in the invertebrate world of C. elegans and Drosophila to further our understanding of this, and other, signaling systems. The roles of such techniques in elucidating diverse pathways, as well as pathways of human disease genes, will become more important as the information from the genome projects increases and as the development of genetics tools to analyze them becomes more powerful. Given the conservation of signaling mechanisms, there will be increasing synergy between studies in invertebrates and vertebrates in future years for solving different cellular pathways.

Bird DM (2005) Ann Appl Biol "Model systems in agriculture: lessons from worms."

Bird DM

[Ann Appl Biol, 2005]

Genomic tools are expanding the utility of organisms originally developed as models for biomedical research as a means to address complex agricultural problems. Conversely, agricultural pests are serving as models to help unravel questions of basic biology. Examples from C. elegans and root-knot nematode of this two-way exchange are discussed.

Hasse S et al. (2016) Methods "TransgeneOmics--A transgenic platform for protein localization based function exploration."

Hasse S, Hyman AA, Sarov M

[Methods, 2016]

The localization of a protein is intrinsically linked to its role in the structural and functional organization of the cell. Advances in transgenic technology have streamlined the use of protein localization as a function discovery tool. Here we review the use of large genomic DNA constructs such as bacterial artificial chromosomes as a transgenic platform for systematic tag-based protein function exploration.

Moghal N et al. (1999) Curr Opin Cell Biol "Multiple positive and negative regulators of signaling by the EGF-receptor."

Sternberg PW, Moghal N

[Curr Opin Cell Biol, 1999]

Signaling via the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor family is subject to regulation and modulation by multiple ligands, effectors and negative regulators, as well as regulation by heterodimerization between family members and crosstalk between heterologous signaling pathways. Besides serving as a paradigm for receptor tyrosine kinases in general, this family is crucial for development and is often mutated or amplified in human tumors.

Komuniecki RW et al. (2004) Mol Biochem Parasitol "Biogenic amine receptors in parasitic nematodes: what can be learned from Caenorhabditis elegans?"

Komuniecki RW, Komuniecki PR, Hapiak VM, Rex EB, Hobson RJ

[Mol Biochem Parasitol, 2004]

The biogenic amines, serotonin, octopamine, tyramine and dopamine regulate many essential processes in parasitic nematodes, such as pharyngeal pumping, muscle contraction, and egg-laying, as well as more complex behaviors, such as mechanosensation and foraging, making biogenic amine receptors excellent targets for drug discovery. This review is designed to summarize our knowledge of nematode biogenic amine signaling and preliminarily identify some of the key receptors involved in the regulation of biogenic amine-dependent behaviors through an analysis of the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans.