Article
Developmental Biology
Jack Bauer, Vincent Poupart, Eugenie Goupil, Ken C. Q. Nguyen, David H. Hall, Jean-Claude Labbe
Summary: The germline of C. elegans is organized as a syncytium, with each germ cell possessing an intercellular bridge maintained by a stable actomyosin ring connected to a shared cytoplasm pool called the rachis. Live imaging in first-stage larvae reveals that primordial germ cells undergo incomplete cytokinesis, with the cytokinetic ring eventually integrating with a common pool of cytoplasm termed the proto-rachis. This iterative mechanism of incomplete cytokinesis supports germline expansion and maintenance in C. elegans.
Article
Biology
Samuel J. P. Taylor, Laura Bel Borja, Flavie Soubigou, Jack Houston, Dhanya K. Cheerambathur, Federico Pelisch
Summary: Phosphorylation is an important post-translational modification used for regulating protein localization and activity. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK-1) is crucial for mitotic and meiotic cell divisions, but its specific roles and regulation in meiosis have been unclear. In this study, using C. elegans oocytes, we demonstrate that PLK-1 is involved in spindle assembly, chromosome alignment and segregation, and polar body extrusion during meiosis I. We also uncover the mechanisms of PLK-1 recruitment to meiotic chromosomes. Our findings reveal the essential functions of PLK-1 in oocyte meiosis and provide insights into its targeting mechanisms.
Article
Cell Biology
Lourds Michelle Fernando, Cristina Quesada-Candela, Makaelah Murray, Caroline Ugoaru, Judith L. Yanowitz, Anna K. Allen
Summary: This study characterizes the germline-specific functions of different 19S proteasome regulatory particle subunits in C. elegans, revealing their roles in the regulation of proliferation and maintenance of integrity of mitotic zone nuclei, polymerization of the synaptonemal complex onto meiotic chromosomes, timing of SC subunit redistribution, and turnover of XND-1 proteins. It also highlights tissue-specific expression and nuclear localization of certain 19S RP subunits in oocytes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Madeline Cassani, Geraldine Seydoux
Summary: Specification of the germ line in Caenorhabditis elegans involves two independent cytoplasmic condensates that independently enrich and regulate maternal mRNAs, playing a crucial role in embryonic development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennifer A. Schisa, Mohamed T. Elaswad
Summary: RNA-binding proteins undergo regulated phase transitions in various cell types, forming RNP condensates or granules, which play important roles in post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs. Over-condensation of RNP granules in neurons may contribute to diseases, highlighting the significance of regulating the assembly of RNA-binding proteins at both cellular and physiological levels.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Florian Geisler, Sanne Remmelzwaal, Vera Jankowski, Ruben Schmidt, Mike Boxem, Rudolf E. Leube
Summary: Using Caenorhabditis elegans, researchers have identified the IF polypeptide IFB-2 as an efficient suppressor of structural and functional deficiencies in mutants that disrupt the organization of the intestinal IF cytoskeleton. This rescue capability is specific to IF isotypes and extends to mutants that disrupt the function of other cytoskeletal proteins. The findings provide strong evidence for the adverse consequences of deranged IF networks, with implications for diseases characterized by altered IF network organization.
Article
Cell Biology
Marilina Raices, Richard Bowman, Sarit Smolikove, Judith L. Yanowitz
Summary: Defects in crossover (CO) formation during meiosis due to maternal aging can lead to increased aneuploidy and decreased oocyte quality in nematode worms. Mutations in genes encoding double-strand break (DSB)-associated proteins show more severe phenotypes with age, indicating a sensitive node in reproductive aging. Aging affects the integrity of meiotic crossover formation, with reductions in DNA binding proteins and compromised repair capacity seen in early aging phenotypes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ian F. Price, Hannah L. Hertz, Benjamin Pastore, Jillian Wagner, Wen Tang
Summary: This study utilized the Caenorhabditis elegans germ granule P granule as a model system to comprehensively define its protein components using mass spectrometry, revealing the importance of EGGD-1 and EGGD-2 LOTUS-domain proteins in the assembly and localization of P granules. Loss of these proteins resulted in abnormal separation of P granules and decreased fertility, shedding light on their mechanisms of action in germ granule organization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin B. D. Muller, Prasad Kasturi, Gopal G. Jayaraj, F. Ulrich Hartl
Summary: Research has found that reading through the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of DNA can lead to the production of abnormal proteins. However, the mechanisms by which eukaryotes effectively clear these abnormal proteins are still unclear. Through studying worms and mammalian cells, it was discovered that abnormal proteins are targeted by the BAG6 chaperone complex and the ribosome-collision-sensing protein GCN1 in a two-level quality control pathway. These findings define GCN1 as a key factor in maintaining protein homeostasis during translation.
Article
Biology
Omar Pena-Ramos, Lucia Chiao, Xianghua Liu, Xiaomeng Yu, Tianyou Yao, Henry He, Zheng Zhou
Summary: Autophagosomes play a crucial role in facilitating the degradation of apoptotic cells. They are recruited to the surfaces of phagosomes containing apoptotic cells and subsequently fuse with them, allowing the inner vesicle to enter the phagosomal lumen. Defects in autophagosome production result in significant defects in the degradation of apoptotic cells.
Article
Agronomy
Anil Baniya, Soumi Joseph, Larry Duncan, William Crow, Tesfamariam Mengistu
Summary: This study investigated the role of sex determination genes Mi-sdc-1 and Mi-tra-1 in the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita through RNA interference. The results showed that while Mi-sdc-1 had no significant effect on sexual fate, downregulation of Mi-tra-1 significantly reduced egg production in the nematodes, suggesting a potential role for Mi-tra-1 in female fecundity in M. incognita.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Aaron Z. A. Schwartz, Yusuff Abdu, Jeremy Nance
Summary: Rapid and conditional protein depletion is an important genetic tool for understanding developmental processes. In this study, the researchers showed that a protein called ZIF-1 can clear specific proteins from somatic and germ cells, and its activity can be harnessed to study the early germline. These findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of developmental processes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Catherine E. McManus, Mariateresa Mazzetto, Guifeng Wei, Mei Han, Valerie Reinke
Summary: In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the zinc-finger protein OEF-1 has been identified as a modifier of the epigenetic balance, influencing H3K36me3 and H3K27me3 modifications and gene expression/silencing. systemFontOfSize>This discovery sheds light on the regulatory mechanisms of histone modifications in germ cells and their impact on genetic stability.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Priti Agarwal, Tom Shemesh, Ronen Zaidel-Bar
Summary: This study reveals that the DTC in C. elegans is not self-propelled, but instead is pushed by proliferating germ cells. The DTC's forward movement is achieved by degrading the basement membrane and its turning is regulated by polarized cell-matrix adhesions. These findings challenge the current understanding of DTC migration and offer a new framework for studying organogenesis.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Catherine E. McManus, Mariateresa Mazzetto, Guifeng Wei, Mei Han, Valerie Reinke
Summary: The zinc-finger protein OEF-1 acts as a novel modifier of epigenetic balance in the C. elegans germline, enhancing transcript integrity and indirectly affecting gene silencing.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)