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)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Stanislav Kopriva, Andreas P. M. Weber
Summary: In order to guarantee food security for future generations, new approaches to enhance crop productivity are needed as a result of global climate change and the growing human population causing resource scarcity and productivity declines.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(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
Oceanography
Juan Valdelamar-Villegas, Juan Gomez, Jesus D. de la Rosa, Jesus Olivero-Verbel
Summary: The study analyzed trace-element levels in bottom sediments along the Panama Canal, revealing strong sediment pollution at some sites and exceeding of the comprehensive ecological risk index. Toxicity tests showed that elements in sediments may impact benthic organisms' mobility, indicating a need for stronger management regulations to ensure ecological sustainability.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Kathryn S. Evans, Marijke H. van Wijk, Patrick T. McGrath, Erik C. Andersen, Mark G. Sterken
Summary: Through quantitative and molecular genetics studies in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, 37 quantitative trait genes have been discovered and validated, providing insights into evolutionary processes related to coding and noncoding variation, gene family expansion, common versus rare variants, pleiotropy, and epistasis in trait variation across this species.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Jonathan J. Froehlich, Bora Uyar, Margareta Herzog, Kathrin Theil, Petar Glazar, Altuna Akalin, Nikolaus Rajewsky
Summary: Understanding how regulatory sequences control gene expression is crucial for explaining phenotypes in health and disease. This study used inducible Cas9 and multiplexed guide RNAs to create mutations in enhancers/promoters and 3'UTRs of multiple genes in C. elegans, showing the impact on expression and fitness. The approach enabled parallel analysis of regulatory sequences directly in animals, providing insights into how specific binding sites can independently regulate gene expression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William Andres Lopez-Arboleda, Stephan Reinert, Magnus Nordborg, Arthur Korte
Summary: The study demonstrates that sampling locations have an impact on GWAS results in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, showing that certain traits are influenced by unique genetic effects in local populations. While using gene expression as a molecular phenotype, some genes are affected by shared variants globally, while others are affected by variants specific to subpopulations.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Lucinda C. Aulsebrook, Bob B. M. Wong, Matthew D. Hall
Summary: The study investigates the threat of pharmaceutical pollutants to aquatic ecosystems and the modification of this threat by temperature. Results show that pharmaceutical exposure affects the fecundity, body size, and growth rate of water fleas, with different effects at different temperatures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Salman Sohrabi, Vanessa Cota, Coleen T. Murphy
Summary: The potential of high-throughput assays in a small space makes C. elegans advantageous, but worm assays are labor-intensive. We developed a miniature lab-on-a-chip device called CeLab, which enables automation of various worm assays and simultaneous analysis of lifespan, reproductive span, and progeny production. CeLab overcomes the limitations of traditional plate assays and reveals the effects of feeding with heat-killed bacteria on lifespan and reproductive span. It also allows the tracking of individual life history traits, uncovering the reproductive behavior of sgk-1 mutants.
Article
Ecology
D. K. Bharti, Pooja Yashwant Pawar, Gregory D. Edgecombe, Jahnavi Joshi
Summary: This study aims to investigate the drivers of intra-specific genetic diversity in centipedes. By analyzing 1245 mitochondrial COI sequences from 128 centipede species, it was found that centipedes have high genetic diversity compared to other arthropods. Genetic diversity is associated with factors such as body size, geographic location, maternal care, and geographic distance among conspecifics.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Srijit Das, Sehee Min, Veena Prahlad
Summary: Maternal stress can trigger long-lasting epigenetic effects on offspring through the activation of the heat shock transcription factor HSF-1 in the germline of Caenorhabditis elegans. This leads to a heritable epigenetic memory of stress exposure in the next generation, shifting their stress response strategy towards decreased insulin/IGF-1-like signaling.
Article
Biology
Qiang Huang, Ruohan Li, Tao Yi, Fengsong Cong, Dayong Wang, Zixin Deng, Yi-Lei Zhao
Summary: Research on DNA phosphorothioation (PT) in the human gut microbiome showed positive effects on nematodes, reducing ROS levels, age-related lipofuscin accumulation, and increasing activity and resistance to stressors. Lifespan was also extended by approximately 21.7% in PT-fed worms. RNA-seq analysis revealed significant gene expression regulation by PT-diet, with upregulation of neuroactivity pathways and downregulation of phosphoryl transfer and DNA-repair pathways. These findings suggest potential for extending the lifespan of multicellular organisms through PT-bacterial interference.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hillary A. Miller, Shijiao Huang, Elizabeth S. Dean, Megan L. Schaller, Angela M. Tuckowski, Allyson S. Munneke, Safa Beydoun, Scott D. Pletcher, Scott F. Leiser
Summary: This study found that mimicking dietary restriction by blocking food odor signaling can extend lifespan. Serotonin and dopamine were identified as playing a role in limiting lifespan in response to food odor. The study revealed the involvement of a neural network in dietary perception.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Madhuja Samaddar, Jerome Goudeau, Melissa Sanchez, David H. Hall, K. Adam Bohnert, Maria Ingaramo, Cynthia Kenyon
Summary: In Caenorhabditis elegans, oocyte maturation signals trigger the clearance of carbonylated proteins and protein aggregates, maintaining the immortal nature of the germ-cell lineage.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ranjay Jayadev, Mychel R. P. T. Morais, Jamie M. Ellingford, Sandhya Srinivasan, Richard W. Naylor, Craig Lawless, Anna S. Li, Jack F. Ingham, Eric Hastie, Qiuyi Chi, Maryline Fresquet, Nikki-Maria Koudis, Huw B. Thomas, Raymond T. O'Keefe, Emily Williams, Antony Adamson, Helen M. Stuart, Siddharth Banka, Damian Smedley, David R. Sherwood, Rachel Lennon
Summary: By utilizing bioinformatic and in vivo approaches, we have identified a network of proteins involved in basement membrane regulation and function. This study highlights the complexity of basement membranes and their impact on human health.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tjalling Jager, Marie Trijau, Neil Sherborne, Benoit Goussen, Roman Ashauer
Summary: Toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) modeling is crucial for understanding the time dependence of toxic effects and predicting consequences of time-varying exposure, especially in environmental risk assessment of pesticides. However, linking the modeled variables in TKTD models with observations from laboratory ecotoxicity tests, particularly for reproductive endpoints, presents challenges.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joshua M. Miller, Dany Garant, Charles Perrier, Tristan Juette, Joel W. Jameson, Eric Normandeau, Louis Bernatchez, Denis Reale
Summary: The island syndrome hypothesis predicts that island populations should differ from mainland populations, with individuals on islands being larger, less aggressive, more sociable, and investing more in their offspring. Using genome-wide SNP markers, this study found clear genomic differentiation between island and mainland populations, with moderate to high marker-based heritability estimates for traits thought to underlie the ISH. Further analysis identified 12 loci associated with differentiation between mainland and island populations, suggesting independent evolutionary trajectories and a genetic basis for the traits considered.
Article
Ecology
Laura Gervais, Nicolas Morellet, Ingrid David, Mark Hewison, Denis Reale, Michel Goulard, Yannick Chaval, Bruno Lourtet, Bruno Cargnelutti, Joel Merlet, Erwan Quemere, Benoit Pujol
Summary: Accurate heritability estimates for fitness-related traits are crucial for predicting the ability of organisms to respond to global change. The potential issue of inflated heritability estimates due to environmental similarity among relatives has been pointed out but not examined empirically. This study investigates the link between genetic variation for habitat selection and environmental similarity, and how it affects heritability estimates for fitness-related traits. The results show that accounting for similarity in habitat composition between relatives decreases heritability estimates, suggesting that similar genotypes occupy similar environments and heritable variation may be incorrectly attributed to environmental effects.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Hassen Allegue, Christophe Guinet, Samantha C. Patrick, Mark A. Hindell, Clive R. McMahon, Denis Reale
Summary: This study investigates the individual differences in seasonal foraging habitat selection of southern elephant seals based on sex, body size, and boldness. The study found that males and females exhibit different habitat preferences, with males selecting more productive habitats and females selecting less productive ones. The results also show a seasonal shift in habitat selection, with seals moving from Antarctic habitats in the summer to subantarctic and subtropical habitats in the winter.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Samantha C. Patrick, Denis Reale, Jonathan R. Potts, Alastair J. Wilson, Claire Doutrelant, Celine Teplitsky, Anne Charmantier
Summary: There are variations in life-history strategies regarding the investment in current versus future reproduction. This study focuses on the temporality in reproductive investment hypothesis and explores the variations in the time frame over which reproductive costs are paid. The findings suggest that individuals differ in when they pay the cost of reproduction, and failure to consider these differences across different temporal scales and environments may underestimate reproductive trade-offs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Neil Sherborne, Tjalling Jager, Benoit Goussen, Marie Trijau, Roman Ashauer
Summary: Toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) models have the potential to be applied in environmental risk assessment (ERA), and their core assumption has been mathematically tested.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jan Baas, Benoit Goussen, Mark Miles, Thomas G. Preuss, Ivo Roessink
Summary: Understanding the survival of honey bees after pesticide exposure is crucial for environmental risk assessment. This study developed a toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model, called BeeGUTS, which can accurately describe the effects of different exposure routes on honey bees over time. The model can also be used to validate toxicity values and assess real-life exposure scenarios. This integrative approach will enhance the confidence in honey bee toxicity assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas G. Preuss, Annika Agatz, Benoit Goussen, Vanessa Roeben, Jack Rumkee, Liubov Zakharova, Pernille Thorbek
Summary: Mechanistic effect models are useful for extrapolating from laboratory studies to field conditions. However, there is a lack of systematic and mechanistic linking between experimental ecotoxicological testing and bee models for risk assessment. This study introduces an ecotoxicological module that mechanistically links exposure with the hazard profile of pesticides to simulate bee colony dynamics.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tjalling Jager, Benoit Goussen, Andre Gergs
Summary: Toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) models are important tools to bridge the gap between laboratory toxicity tests and field conditions. Dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory provides a solid foundation for TKTD modeling. This paper presents a complete TKTD model that includes a standard DEB animal model and a TKTD model that considers damage as the driving force for toxic effects.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Hassen Allegue, Denis Reale, Baptiste Picard, Christophe Guinet
Summary: This study tests the predictive capacity of simple continuous movement metrics for feeding intensity in southern elephant seals and investigates potential factors influencing the accuracy of these metrics. The study finds that simple movement metrics do not accurately predict feeding activity in free-ranging marine predators.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sedda Amzali, Vinicius Dias Wilson, Sebastien Bommart, Marie-Christine Picot, Simon Galas, Jacques Mercier, Patrick Poucheret, Jean-Paul Cristol, Sandrine Arbogast, Dalila Laoudj-Chenivesse
Summary: In patients with FSHD, reduced physical performance is associated with lower blood levels of vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and increased oxidative stress markers. Supplementation of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium improves physical performance. Calorie intake is lower in women with FSHD than in men.
Article
Biology
Ahmad Sleiman, Kevin Lalanne, Francois Vianna, Yann Perrot, Myriam Richaud, Tanima SenGupta, Mikael Cardot-Martin, Pascal Pedini, Christophe Picard, Hilde Nilsen, Simon Galas, Christelle Adam-Guillermin
Summary: Radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment, but completely eliminating treatment-related complications remains a challenge. A study using a nematode model examined the effects of targeted proton radiation on mitochondrial function and found that it caused dysfunction, oxidative stress, and autophagy. These findings highlight the role of mitochondria in radiation-induced damage and provide insights for developing new therapies.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
David Lopez-Idiaquez, Celine Teplitsky, Amelie Fargevieille, Maria Del Rey-Granado, Raphaelle Mercier Gauthier, Christophe de Franceschi, Anne Charmantier, Claire Doutrelant, Denis Reale
Summary: This study analyzed the associations between behavior, ornamentation, morphology, and life history in blue tits, and explored the differences in these associations between males and females. The results showed weak associations between ornamentation and behavior, and these associations differed between the sexes.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Myriam Richaud, Sarah Rasasombat, Pierre Cuq, Simon Galas, Gilberte Marti-Mestres
Summary: This study evaluates the anti-aging properties of highly and low mineralized water using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. The results indicate that different branded waters have varying effects on the lifespan of C. elegans, suggesting that the physicochemical composition of the water plays a role in its efficacy. Highly mineralized waters have a detrimental effect on worm survival, while ultra-pure water could not be tested due to its negative impact on the worms, indicating that both highly mineralized and completely demineralized waters may not be suitable for skin formulations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jimmy Allain, Mathilde Tissier, Patrick Bergeron, Dany Garant, Denis Reale
Summary: This study investigates the relationships between age at first reproduction, reproductive senescence, and longevity in an eastern chipmunk population. It found sex-specific relationships between age at first reproduction and senescence, with females reproducing at a later age showing reproductive senescence. Additionally, it highlights the importance of studying life-history strategies in both males and females when studying senescence in the wild.