Article
Biology
Adria Razzauti, Patrick Laurent
Summary: Cilia are sensory organelles protruding from cell surfaces that can release extracellular vesicles (EVs) in some organisms. These EVs are formed by ciliated sensory neurons, with release from both the cilia tip and periciliary membrane compartment. The formation and release of EVs help maintain cilia composition.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sarah M. Cohen, Chester J. J. Wrobel, Sharan J. Prakash, Frank C. Schroeder, Paul W. Sternberg
Summary: This study investigates the biosynthetic pathways and functions of ascaroside signaling molecules in the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae. It shows that ascarosides in C. briggsae are synthesized in the same manner as C. elegans and induce the alternative developmental pathway that generates the stress-resistant dauer lifestage.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Erin Z. Aprison, Svetlana Dzitoyeva, Ilya Ruvinsky
Summary: Behaviour and physiology are altered in reproducing animals, but the neuronal circuits that regulate these changes remain largely unknown. In the study of Caenorhabditis elegans, researchers found that serotonin plays a key role in mediating effects of the male pheromone ascr#10 on germline development and egg laying behavior. The study also highlights the importance of a simple neuronal circuit in coordinating various reproductive processes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Katherine A. Maniates, Andrew Singson
Summary: Complementary forward and reverse genetic approaches have led to a recent surge in the discovery of fertilization genes in various model systems. The number of genetically validated gamete surface molecules has more than doubled in the past few years, with all sperm fertilization genes encoding transmembrane or secreted molecules. However, the discovery of genes encoding oocyte molecules has lagged behind. This review discusses potential experimental biases and biological reasons that may have hindered the identification of egg fertilization genes, as well as current strategies to overcome these obstacles.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xueqi Ma, Min Hou, Chaobao Liu, Jingquan Li, Qian Ba, Hui Wang
Summary: The study revealed that exposure to cadmium induces fat accumulation in nematodes, a process mediated by live bacteria. Cadmium perturbs metabolites in bacteria, notably oleic acid, leading to increased fat deposition in nematodes regardless of the cultivated system. Additionally, Vitamin D3 showed significant potential in preventing cadmium- or oleic acid-induced fat storage.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuxing Wang, Le Zhang, Xiaoan Yuan, Dayong Wang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of paeoniflorin treatment on the lifespan and bacterial accumulation in a Caenorhabditis elegans model infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Paeoniflorin significantly extended the lifespan and reduced bacterial accumulation in the nematodes. It also inhibited biofilm formation, virulence gene expression, and motility of P. aeruginosa, as well as decreased the cyclic-di-GMP level.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Carolyn M. Phillips, Dustin L. Updike
Summary: Germ granules are ribonucleoprotein structures specific to germline cytoplasm, playing a crucial role in maintaining germline identity and transmitting genetic information across generations.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Denise M. Ferkey, Piali Sengupta, Noelle D. L'Etoile
Summary: Chemosensory neurons in C. elegans play a crucial role in responding to chemical cues, such as odorants, tastants, and pheromones. Studies have shown that the sensory mechanisms in C. elegans share remarkable homology with those in other organisms, and the development of new tools and technologies can provide further insights into the animal's detection and discrimination of chemical cues with a limited sensory neuron repertoire.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Zhu, Juan Bai, Yurong Zhou, Yi Zhang, Yansheng Zhao, Ying Dong, Xiang Xiao
Summary: The study found that bitter melon polysaccharides have hypolipidemic effects, particularly alkali-soluble bitter melon polysaccharides showed better performance in accelerating glucose consumption and decreasing triglyceride content. They exhibited significant lipid-lowering effects in cell and nematode experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Tanima SenGupta, Konstantinos Palikaras, Ying Q. Esbensen, Georgios Konstantinidis, Francisco Jose Naranjo Galindo, Kavya Achanta, Henok Kassahun, Ioanna Stavgiannoudaki, Vilhelm A. Bohr, Mansour Akbari, Johannes Gaare, Charalampos Tzoulis, Nektarios Tavernarakis, Hilde Nilsen
Summary: Aging, genomic stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease. Base excision repair can generate genomic stress and promote neurodegeneration, while deficiency of NTH-1 may protect against neurotoxicity and rely on mitochondrial transcription for neuroprotection. This highlights the importance of integrating DNA repair mechanisms and transcription regulation in the aging process and susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Priya Sivaramakrishnan, Cameron Watkins, John Isaac Murray
Summary: Dynamic transcriptional changes are widespread in rapidly dividing developing embryos. The Caenorhabditis elegans embryo overcomes these constraints by producing high levels of transcription factor mRNAs. We estimated zygotic mRNA accumulation rates and identified core promoter elements associated with high transcription rates in the early C. elegans embryo.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yamei Zuo, Xue Mei, Andrew Singson
Summary: The spe-38 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans codes for a transmembrane molecule that plays a role in fertilization. Localization of the SPE-38 protein was studied using antibodies on spermatids and mature spermatozoa, revealing its presence in membranous organelles in nonmotile spermatids as well as in fused organelles and plasma membranes of mature sperm. By using CRISPR/Cas9 editing, the endogenous SPE-38 was tagged with a fluorescent marker, which confirmed the previous localization patterns and suggested direct involvement in sperm-egg binding and/or fusion.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xianjin Qin, Wenqian Wang, Weihua Chu
Summary: The study found that rutin reduces fat storage by regulating the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism, thereby affecting the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids.
Review
Cell Biology
Emmanuel Spanoudakis, Nektarios Tavernarakis
Summary: The introduction of C. elegans by Sydney Brenner has greatly advanced biological research, especially in the study of development and ageing. Its unique properties have made it a valuable model organism for investigating ageing-related human disorders. This review aims to summarize the important morphological and functional changes during normal aging in C. elegans.
MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Salman Sohrabi, Rebecca S. Moore, Coleen T. Murphy
Summary: Researchers have developed CeAid, an application that speeds up the data entry process using swiping gestures and voice recognition algorithm on standard smartphones or Android devices. This modular platform can be used for a wide range of assays, beyond just worm research, where recording data is time-consuming.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrei Papkou, Thiago Guzella, Wentao Yang, Svenja Koepper, Barbara Pees, Rebecca Schalkowski, Mike-Christoph Barg, Philip C. Rosenstiel, Henrique Teotonio, Hinrich Schulenburg
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2019)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Gavin C. Woodruff, Erik Johnson, Patrick C. Phillips
BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephen A. Banse, Benjamin W. Blue, Kristin J. Robinson, Cody M. Jarrett, Patrick C. Phillips
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ivo M. Chelo, Bruno Afonso, Sara Carvalho, Ioannis Theologidis, Christine Goy, Ania Pino-Querido, Stephen R. Proulx, Henrique Teotonio
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Katja R. Kasimatis, Peter L. Ralph, Patrick C. Phillips
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Asher D. Cutter, Levi T. Morran, Patrick C. Phillips
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Anastasia A. Teterina, John H. Willis, Patrick C. Phillips
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Zachary C. Stevenson, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Brennen Jamison, Patrick C. Phillips
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2020)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Christine H. O'Connor, Kristin L. Sikkink, Thomas C. Nelson, Janna L. Fierst, William A. Cresko, Patrick C. Phillips
Summary: The study used experimental evolution to dissect the genetic architecture of acute heat stress and oxidative stress response in the nematode C. remanei, finding that these traits are polygenic and complex, involving hundreds of genomic regions. Contrary to expectation, the genetic bases of acute heat stress and oxidative stress response in C. remanei appear to be largely independent, suggesting that rapid adaptation can be generated by changes at multiple sites in the genome.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Kelly M. Thomasson, Alexander Franks, Henrique Teotonio, Stephen R. Proulx
Summary: Saccharomyces yeast undergoes sporulation in response to starvation, producing haploid cells enclosed in a protective ascus. Passage through insect guts selects for increased spore production, with wild-derived strains showing a more rapid and extreme shift towards sporulation. Domesticated strains exhibit a weaker response, suggesting genetic canalization of the sporulation initiation response.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Katja R. Kasimatis, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Ruben Lancaster, Alexander Smith, John H. Willis, Patrick C. Phillips
Summary: Sexual reproduction is a complex process that contributes to differences between the sexes and divergence between species. This study investigates the role of pre- and post-insemination sexual selection in the evolution of male reproductive success using an experimental evolution approach. The results show that enhanced post-insemination competition is more effective than pre-insemination competition in driving the evolution of male reproductive success. Surprisingly, enhanced pre-insemination competition hinders selection and slows down the rate of evolution. Post-insemination selection leads to a strong polygenic response at the whole-genome level.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Stephen R. Proulx, Henrique Teotonio
Summary: Gene flow between populations adapting to different environmental conditions might have costs, and the selection on modifiers of genetic architecture depends on different genetic mechanisms.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Francois Mallard, Luke Noble, Charles F. Baer, Henrique Teotonio
Summary: Due to pleiotropy, mutations affect multiple traits, making it important to investigate variations in the mutational M matrix between genotypes. This study estimated the M matrix for locomotion behavior traits in two genotypes of C. elegans. There were significant mutational variances, but no detectable differences in size or orientation between genotypes. Furthermore, the M matrix differed from the G matrix, indicating that selection does not shape the M matrix in the short-term and suggesting that hybridization of C. elegans genotypes allows selection on new phenotypic dimensions.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Zachary C. Stevenson, Megan J. Moerdyk-Schauwecker, Stephen A. Banse, Dhaval S. Patel, Hang Lu, Patrick C. Phillips
Summary: High-throughput transgenesis using synthetic DNA libraries is a powerful method for exploring genetic function. However, the need for library transgenesis has restricted its application to single-cell models. In this study, we present TARDIS, a method that overcomes these limitations and enables large-scale transgenesis in multicellular systems. We demonstrate its utility in Caenorhabditis elegans and show that transformation yields can be increased up to approximately 1000-fold compared to current methods.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Katja R. Kasimatis, Abin Abraham, Peter L. Ralph, Andrew D. Kern, John A. Capra, Patrick C. Phillips
Summary: Sex and sexual differentiation are common in various species, leading to different selection pressures between sexes. However, studies on autosomal loci in humans did not find clear evidence of sexually antagonistic viability selection, possibly due to cross-hybridization with sex chromosome regions at these loci.
