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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Claudia P. Gonzalez-Hunt, Anthony L. Luz, Ian T. Ryde, Elena A. Turner, Olga R. Ilkayeva, Dhaval P. Bhatt, Matthew D. Hirschey, Joel N. Meyer
Summary: The study found that young adult Caenorhabditis elegans showed resistance to rotenone exposure for 24 and 48 hours, with upregulation of mitochondrial complexes II and V. Results indicated that exposure to rotenone induced the glyoxylate pathway in C. elegans, along with metabolic restructuring of cellular bioenergetic pathways.
Article
Virology
Mark G. Sterken, Lisa van Sluijs, Yiru A. Wang, Wannisa Ritmahan, Mitra L. Gultom, Joost A. G. Riksen, Rita J. M. Volkers, L. Basten Snoek, Gorben P. Pijlman, Jan E. Kammenga
Summary: Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, this study dissected the genetic architecture of Orsay virus infection and identified two loci on chromosome IV associated with susceptibility. Additionally, it was found that other genetic elements may also influence viral infection susceptibility.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Joshua Jackson, Lena Wischhof, Enzo Scifo, Anna Pellizzer, Yiru Wang, Antonia Piazzesi, Debora Gentile, Sana Siddig, Miriam Stork, Chris E. Hopkins, Kristian Handler, Joachim Weis, Andreas Roos, Joachim L. Schultze, Pierluigi Nicotera, Dan Ehninger, Daniele Bano
Summary: Mitochondrial retrograde signaling can stimulate organelle biogenesis as a compensatory adaptation to abnormal activity of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. In this study, the researchers investigated the molecular mechanisms promoting mitochondrial maintenance in energy-deprived cells and identified the sphingosine phosphate lyase SPL-1/SGPL1 and the ATFS-1-target HOPS complex subunit VPS-39/VPS39 as critical lifespan modulators. They also found that VPS39 recruitment to the mitochondria may be a common signature associated with altered OXPHOS system in mouse-derived muscles.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Brandi, Fabio Polticelli
Summary: Huntington's disease is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene, resulting in abnormal protein aggregation. Analysis of Htt homologs can help understand the functional conservation of Htt in different eukaryotes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Denia Cai Shi, Chunlin Long, Ella Vardeman, Edward J. Kennelly, Michael A. Lawton, Rong Di
Summary: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause oxidative stress, which is linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Mogrosides, derived from plants, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. This study found that mogrosides can improve the lifespan and egg-laying rate of worms with vitamin B12 deficiency. Additionally, mogrosides delay paralysis in worms expressing amyloid-beta peptide. The protective effects of mogrosides may be due to their ability to modulate oxidative protective gene expression.
Article
Biology
Xinwei Yu, Matthew S. Creamer, Francesco Randi, Anuj K. Sharma, Scott W. Linderman, Andrew M. Leifer
Summary: A method called fDNC, based on the transformer network architecture, is proposed for automated tracking and identifying neurons in C. elegans. This method predicts neural correspondence quickly without requiring straightening or transforming the animal into a canonical coordinate system, making it suitable for future real-time applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Baolin Yang, Zhen Yang, Lei Cheng, Yang Li, Tong Zhou, Yuyan Han, Hua Du, An Xu
Summary: This study found that exposure to high SMFs had adverse effects on the sperms and offspring of C. elegans, including changes in sperm size, function, and reduced reproductive capacity in male worms. The lifespan of the offspring from exposed male mutants and unexposed female mutants was also decreased in a time-dependent manner.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Julian Ceron
Summary: After years of research, our understanding of cancer mechanisms has grown and brought about new therapeutic opportunities. However, further intense research is needed to mitigate the impact of cancer. In this regard, the use of simple model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans can aid in studying various cancer hallmarks.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Hoess, Marie-Theres Rauchschwalbe, Hendrik Fueser, Walter Traunspurger
Summary: The effects of 1-μm polystyrene (PS) beads on the reproduction of Caenorhabditis elegans in freshwater sediments were studied using a standardized protocol for toxicity testing. The results showed that the body burdens of PS beads in the nematodes differed between sediments, but not significantly. The ECx-values for C. elegans' reproduction varied among different sediments and were higher than values reported for water exposure, indicating that microplastic reduces food availability and affects reproduction in benthic ecosystems.
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
Biology
Maria Danielle Sallee, Melissa A. Pickett, Jessica L. Feldman
Summary: Research on developing Caenorhabditis elegans intestines reveals the importance of the apical PAR complex in maintaining intestinal epithelial integrity and constructing a functional tube. Depletion of PAR-6, PKC-3, and CDC-42 regulators leads to gaps in apical proteins, hindering food passage and causing larval death.
Article
Cell Biology
Nami Haruta, Eisuke Sumiyoshi, Yu Honda, Masahiro Terasawa, Chihiro Uchiyama, Mika Toya, Yukihiko Kubota, Asako Sugimoto
Summary: Two proteins GTAP-1 and GTAP-2 were identified in Caenorhabditis elegans that are associated with the ?-tubulin complex (?TuC). These proteins localize to the centrosomes and plasma membrane of the germline, and contribute to the organization of both centrosomal and non-centrosomal microtubules.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabela Cunha Navarro, Francesca Tuorto, David Jordan, Carine Legrand, Jonathan Price, Fabian Braukmann, Alan G. Hendrick, Alper Akay, Annika Kotter, Mark Helm, Frank Lyko, Eric A. Miska
Summary: The study demonstrates that m(5)C modification on RNA is non-essential. The localization and enzymatic specificity of m(5)C sites play a key role in rRNA and tRNA methyltransferases. Loss of m(5)C affects the decoding of specific tRNAs, leading to translation efficiency problems.
Article
Cell Biology
Claire A. Gianakas, Daniel P. Keeley, William Ramos-Lewis, Kieop Park, Ranjay Jayadev, Isabel W. Kenny, Qiuyi Chi, David R. Sherwood
Summary: The study identifies the crucial role of hemicentin and fibulin-1 in initiating and strengthening basement membrane (BM) attachment. The mechanisms underlying BM-BM linkage maturation are revealed, providing new insights into this specialized form of tissue linkage.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)