Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Murugesh Padmanarayana, Haowen Liu, Francesco Michelassi, Lei Li, Daniel Betensky, Matthew J. Dominguez, R. Bryan Sutton, Zhitao Hu, Jeremy S. Dittman
Summary: The HC2M module is a crucial part of Munc13-1, necessary for synaptic vesicle priming during neurotransmitter release, and can be functionally replaced by protein domains that localize to synaptic vesicles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dandan Wang, Maria Dao, Brian S. Muntean, Andrew C. Giles, Kirill A. Martemyanov, Brock Grill
Summary: The study utilized C. elegans as a model to investigate the functional effects of pathological mutations associated with GNAO1 encephalopathy, revealing strong loss of function defects and dominant negative effects. Experiments in mice confirmed the dominant negative effect of GNAO1 G42R mutation, impairing various motor behaviors.
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James J. Doyle, Claudia Maios, Celine Vrancx, Sarah Duhaime, Babykumari Chitramuthu, Hugh P. J. Bennett, Andrew Bateman, J. Alex Parker
Summary: The article discusses the link between GRN mutations and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) discovered in 2006 and highlights the need for advancing genetic and small-molecule therapeutics for GRN-related FTD. Research using the nematode model, Caenorhabditis elegans, shows that loss of nematode GRN ortholog results in behavioral and molecular defects, and implicates the sphingolipid metabolic pathway in regulating these defects. High-throughput drug screening using nematodes has identified two small molecules with potential therapeutic applications against GRN/pgrn-1 deficiency, offering avenues for mechanistic and therapeutic research into GRN-related neurodegeneration.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Timothy A. Crombie, Paul Battlay, Robyn E. Tanny, Kathryn S. Evans, Claire M. Buchanan, Daniel E. Cook, Clayton M. Dilks, Loraina A. Stinson, Stefan Zdraljevic, Gaotian Zhang, Nicole M. Roberto, Daehan Lee, Michael Ailion, Kathryn A. Hodgins, Erik C. Andersen
Summary: In this study, the authors investigated the natural ecology and genetic diversity of Caenorhabditis elegans on the Hawaiian Islands. They found that C. elegans predominantly inhabit moderately moist native forests at high elevations with cool temperatures. Furthermore, they identified seven genetically distinct groups and discovered regions associated with local adaptation. These findings contribute to our understanding of genetic diversity on remote volcanic archipelagos.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael R. Harris, Thomas P. Wytock, Istvan A. Kovacs
Summary: The difficulty of mapping synaptic polarity is addressed through computational inference in this study. The researchers use different experimental scenarios, including the integration of gene expression data and a connectome model, to infer synaptic polarities. They introduce a high-performance method that successfully infers a large number of synaptic polarities, contributing to a more realistic understanding of brain models.
Article
Neurosciences
Luca Pannone, Valentina Muto, Francesca Nardecchia, Martina Di Rocco, Emilia Marchei, Federica Tosato, Stefania Petrini, Giada Onorato, Enrico Lanza, Lucia Bertuccini, Filippo Manti, Viola Folli, Serena Galosi, Elia Di Schiavi, Vincenzo Leuzzi, Marco Tartaglia, Simone Martinelli
Summary: De novo CLTC mutations are responsible for a spectrum of early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by developmental delay/intellectual disability, epilepsy, and movement disorders. The mutations lead to defective endocytosis and cell cycle transition, resulting in aberrant synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter release, ultimately affecting neurodevelopment and function.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fang Zhang, Liying Wang, Jiayu Jin, Yulu Pang, Hao Shi, Ziyi Fang, Han Wang, Yujie Du, Yufan Hu, Yingchun Zhang, Xiaoyue Ding, Zuobin Zhu
Summary: This study investigated the impact of Escherichia coli mutant strains on fruit fly lifespan and found that feeding E. coli purE strain resulted in the longest lifespan in fruit flies, which was also validated in Caenorhabditis elegans. RNA sequencing and analysis revealed that E. coli mutant strains affect lifespan by regulating protein synthesis rate and ATP levels. This research provides new insights into the genetic influences of gut microbiota on host lifespan and offers a foundation for developing anti-aging probiotics and drugs.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunjiang Yu, Xin Hua, Haibo Chen, Zhengdong Wang, Yajing Han, Xichao Chen, Yue Yang, Mingdeng Xiang
Summary: This study investigated the neurotoxicity and underlying mechanisms of lindane in Caenorhabditis elegans. It was found that lindane adversely affected locomotion, nervous system, and neurotransmitter expression in the worms. The neurotoxic effects were observed in multiple generations.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Eric S. Luth, Molly Hodul, Bethany J. Rennich, Carmino Riccio, Julia Hofer, Kaitlin Markoja, Peter Juo
Summary: Sensation, behavior, and cognition rely on the proper function of neuronal connections known as synapses, with glutamate synapses being the most common in the brain and playing a key role in learning and memory. Research indicates that factors released from other cells can also impact synaptic communication. Through experiments with C. elegans worms, certain proteins were identified as crucial for glutamate synapse function.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Khaled Youssef, Daphne Archonta, Terrance J. Kubiseski, Anurag Tandon, Pouya Rezai
Summary: This paper reveals the novel effect of electric field on adult C. elegans egg-laying behavior, showing that the electric egg-laying rate is significantly influenced by EF strength, direction, and exposure duration, as well as worm aging. The involvement and sensitivity of specific neurons and muscles to the EF are demonstrated, and the assay can be used for cellular screening and mapping of the neural basis of electrosensation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Van Thi Nguyen, Ae Ran Park, Kalaiselvi Duraisamy, Duc Duy Vo, Jin-Cheol Kim
Summary: In this study, it was found that Grammicin (Gra) can kill the devastating root-knot nematode by inducing oxidative stress response. Gra interacts with multiple genes in C. elegans, resulting in oxidative stress response and nematode death. The mode of action of Gra is different from traditional nematicides, suggesting its potential application in controlling plant-parasitic nematodes.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vladyslava Pechuk, Gal Goldman, Yehuda Salzberg, Aditi H. Chaubey, R. Aaron Bola, Jonathon R. Hoffman, Morgan L. Endreson, Renee M. Miller, Noah J. Reger, Douglas S. Portman, Denise M. Ferkey, Elad Schneidman, Meital Oren-Suissa
Summary: This study investigates the effect of neural connectivity on sexual behavior in C. elegans. It shows that subtle synaptic rewirings can alter behavior and that network topologies enabling efficient avoidance of noxious cues have reproductive costs for males.
Article
Neurosciences
Marius Seidenthal, Barbara Janosi, Nils Rosenkranz, Noah Schuh, Nora Elvers, Miles Willoughby, Xinda Zhao, Alexander Gottschalk
Summary: pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins are used to study synaptic vesicle fusion and recycling. By tagging these proteins to the lumen of synaptic vesicles, their fluorescence is quenched by acidic pH and increased by neutral pH after fusion. This all-optical approach combines pH-sensitive proteins with light-gated channelrhodopsins for stimulation and visualization of vesicle recycling.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maoxuan Liu, Jing-Guang Lu, Ming-Rong Yang, Zhi-Hong Jiang, Xiaochun Wan, Walter Luyten
Summary: This study aimed to identify the anthelmintic compounds in Semen pharbitidis and explore their mechanism of action. The results showed that pharbitin, a glycoside found in Semen pharbitidis, has anthelmintic activity and its target may be UNC-63 in C. elegans.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabian Schmitt, Gunter P. Eckert
Summary: The study of aging is an important topic, and choosing the right model is crucial. The nematode C. elegans is a well-established model in aging research and has significant advantages in studying bioenergetics and secondary plant metabolites.
Article
Entomology
Apostolos Kapranas, Ben Malone, Sarajane Quinn, Louise Mc Namara, Christopher D. Williams, Padraig O'Tuama, Arne Peters, Christine T. Griffin
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2017)
Article
Ecology
Abigail M. D. Maher, Mohamed A. M. Asaiyah, Caroline Brophy, Christine T. Griffin
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Louise Mc Namara, Christine T. Griffin, David Fitzpatrick, Kevin Kavanagh, James C. Carolan
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Entomology
Louise Mc Namara, Apostolos Kapranas, Christopher D. Williams, Padraig O'Tuama, Kevin Kavanagh, Christine T. Griffin
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2018)
Review
Entomology
Sophie Labaude, Christine T. Griffin
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophie Labaude, Niamh O'Donnell, Christine T. Griffin
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Mycology
Louise Mc Namara, Stephen K. Dolan, John M. D. Walsh, John C. Stephens, Travis R. Glare, Kevin Kavanagh, Christine T. Griffin
Article
Zoology
Cathryn J. Hartley, Peter E. Lillis, Rebecca A. Owens, Christine T. Griffin
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Ciaran P. Pollard, Christine T. Griffin, Rafael de Andrade Moral, Catriona Duffy, Julien Chuche, Michael T. Gaffney, Reamonn M. Fealy, Rowan Fealy
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2020)
Article
Forestry
Catriona Duffy, Melanie G. Tuffen, Rowan Fealy, Christine T. Griffin
Summary: This paper uses a hierarchical clustering approach to analyze distribution data for pests of Sitka spruce in order to identify high-risk species for Ireland and potential source regions of these pests. The analysis suggests that the highest risk pests for Sitka spruce plantations in Ireland are likely to originate from Europe. The study highlights the potential utility of hierarchical clustering in assessing the risk posed by alien species to new regions.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Apostolos Kapranas, Annemie N. R. L. Zenner, Rosie Mangan, Christine T. Griffin
Article
Ecology
Abigail M. D. Maher, Mohamed Asaiyah, Sarajane Quinn, Riona Burke, Hendrik Wolff, Helge B. Bode, Christine T. Griffin
Summary: The two Photorhabdus species, P. cinerea and P. temperata, show similarities in supporting nematode reproduction and protecting cadavers, but differences in growth rate, antibacterial and antifungal activity, colonization of nematodes, and production of secondary metabolites. P. cinerea tends to outperform P. temperata in multiple traits, indicating potential competitive advantages on a local level. However, the co-existence of both species in a spatially heterogeneous environment is favored due to differing specializations in defending cadavers against local threats.
Article
Parasitology
Peter E. Lillis, Ian P. Kennedy, James C. Carolan, Christine T. Griffin
Summary: Temperature has significant effects on soil organisms, including entomopathogenic nematodes, which are important biological control agents. Cold storage impacts the chemotaxis, stress tolerance, and protein expression of nematodes, with different effects observed in different species. Steinernema carpocapsae displays plasticity in behavior and stress tolerance, making it a potential candidate for biological control.
Article
Entomology
Karen D. Shevlin, Roseanne Hennessy, Aoife B. Dillon, Philip O'Dea, Christine T. Griffin, Christopher D. Williams
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Entomology
Apostolos Kapranas, Ben Malone, Sarajane Quinn, Padraig O'Tuama, Arne Peters, Christine T. Griffin