Fredens J et al. (2014) Methods Mol Biol "Identification of novel protein functions and signaling mechanisms by genetics and quantitative phosphoproteomics in Caenorhabditis elegans."

Larsen MR, Moller-Jensen J, Fredens J, Engholm-Keller K, Faergeman NJ

[Methods Mol Biol, 2014]

Stable isotope labeling by amino acids combined with mass spectrometry is a widely used methodology for measuring relative changes in protein and phosphorylation levels at a global level. We have applied this method to the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans in combination with RNAi-mediated gene knockdown by feeding the nematode on pre-labeled lysine auxotroph Escherichia coli. In this chapter, we describe in details the generation of the E. coli strain, incorporation of heavy isotope-labeled lysine in C. elegans, and the procedure for a comprehensive global phosphoproteomic experiment.

Bjorkgren I et al. (2017) "Fertility and TRP Channels"

Lishko PV, Bjorkgren I

[2017]

Since their discovery in late 1970, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been implicated in a variety of cellular and physiological functions (Minke, 2010). The superfamily of TRP channels consists of nearly 30 members that are organized into seven major subgroups based on their specific function and sequence similarities (Owsianik et al., 2006; Ramsey et al., 2006). With the exception of TRPN channels that are only found in invertebrates and fish, mammalian genomes contain representatives of all six subfamilies: (1) TRPV (vanilloid); (2) TRPC (canonical); (3) TRPM (melastatin); (4) TRPA (ankyrin); (5) TRPML (mucolipin); and (6) TRPP (polycystin). TRP channels play crucial regulatory roles in many physiological processes, including those associated with reproductive tissues. As calcium-permeable cation channels that respond to a variety of signals (Clapham et al., 2003; Wu et al., 2010), TRP channels exert their role as sensory detectors in both male and female gametes, and play regulatory functions in germ cell development and maturation. Recent evidence obtained from Caenorhabditis elegans studies point to the importance of these proteins during fertilization where certain sperm TRP channels could migrate from a spermatozoon into an egg to ensure successful fertilization and embryo development. In this chapter we discuss how TRP channels can regulate both female and male fertility in different species and their specific roles.

Peredney CL et al. (2000) "Comparison of the toxicological effects of nitrate versus chloride metallic salts on Caenorhabditis elegans in soil."

Williams PL, Peredney CL

[2000]

There is growing interest in the use of bioindicators to assess metal toxicity in soil. The current ASTM Standard Guide for Conducting Laboratory Soil Toxicity Test with the lumbricid earthworm Eisenia fetida (E 1676-97) uses a common earthworm. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a natural soil inhabitant with many characteristics that make an ideal alternate test organism. It has been used to assess metal toxicity in aquatic media, agar plates and in soil. Work is currently underway on the design of a C. elegans procedure for metals in soil. The objective of this study was to determine differences in LC50S between the chloride salt and the nitrate salt forms of cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc, in three types of soil: Cecil, Tifton, and ASTM artificial soil. Results indicated that the toxicological effect of the metallic salt varies and is dependent on the particular metal. For Cd and Pb the nitrate form is more toxic while Cu and Ni are more toxic in the chloride form. The composition of the soil also effected toxicity, with the metal being the least toxic in ASTM soil and more toxic in the Tifton soil. This strongly correlated with organic matter and clay content of the soil. It is important to determine the effects of carrier salt form and soil composition on metal toxicity, not only in order to standardize the protocol for C. elegans soil toxicity testing, but also in establishing acceptable exposure concentrations in the soil.