Functional diversification of the nematode mbd2/3 gene between Pristionchus pacificus and Caenorhabditis elegans
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Abstract:
Several members of the Methyl-Binding Domain protein family link DNA methylation with chromatin remodeling complexes in vertebrates. Amongst the four classes of MBD proteins, MBD2/3 is the most highly conserved and widespread in metazoans. We have previously reported that an mbd2/3 like gene (mbd-2) is encoded in the genomes of the nematodes Pristionchus pacificus, Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae. RNAi knock-down of mbd-2 in the two Caenorhabditis species results in varying percentages of lethality.Here, we report that a general feature of nematode MBD2/3 proteins seems to be the lack of a bona fide methyl-binding domain. We isolated a null allele of mbd-2 in P. pacificus and show that Ppa-mbd-2 mutants are viable, fertile and display a fully penetrant egg laying defect. This egg laying defect is partially rescued by treatment with acetylcholine or nicotine suggesting a specific function of this protein in vulval neurons. Using Yeast-two-hybrid screens, Ppa-MBD-2 was found to associate with microtubule interacting and vesicle transfer proteins.These results imply that MBD2/3 proteins in nematodes are more variable than their relatives in insects and vertebrates both in structure and function. Moreover, nematode MBD2/3 proteins assume functions independent of DNA methylation ranging from the indispensable to the non-essential.Keywords:
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Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a member of the phylum Nematoda, carries the evolutionarily conserved genes comparing to mammals. Due to its short lifespan and completely sequenced genome, C. elegans becomes a potentially powerful model for mechanistic studies in human diseases. In this mini review, we will outline the current understandings on C. elegans as a model organism for microRNA (miRNA)-related research in the pathogenesis of human diseases.
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Caenorhabditis elegans, a small free-living nematode worm, has been a particularlyuseful model organism for studying the genetics, behavior, and development of metazoan. The97Mb genomic sequence of C. elegans has been finished in 1998, more than 19 000 predicted geneshave been identified. This article reviews the progress in C. elegans genome research so far andthe influence of the project on life science.
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The small nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans, 1 mm in length) originally was introduced into the laboratory in 1965 by Brenner (1) and has since become an important model organism. Caenorhabditis elegans for a variety of reasons offers excellent conditions for the study of basic features of life (2). C. elegans is surrounded by a rigid cuticula, which is, however, completely transparent. The adult organism is composed of a constant number of somatic cells (959 in the adult hermaphrodite, 1031 in the adult male), of which the complete cell lineage during development is known in all details (3). Altogether, this makes C. elegans a very suitable model organism to approach fundamental problems in development and aging.
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Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful organism for testing chemical effects on physiology. Whole organism small molecule screens offer significant advantages for identifying biologically active chemical structures that can modify complex phenotypes such as lifespan. Described here is a simple protocol for producing hundreds of 96-well culture plates with fairly consistent numbers of C. elegans in each well. Next, we specified how to use these cultures to screen thousands of chemicals for effects on the lifespan of the nematode C. elegans. This protocol makes use of temperature sensitive sterile strains, agar plate conditions, and simple animal handling to facilitate the rapid and high throughput production of synchronized animal cultures for screening.
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The discovery and development of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism was influential in biology, particularly in the field of aging. Many historical and contemporary studies have identified thousands of lifespan-altering paradigms, including genetic mutations, transgenic gene expression, and hormesis, a beneficial, low-grade exposure to stress. With its many advantages, including a short lifespan, easy and low-cost maintenance, and fully sequenced genome with homology to almost two-thirds of all human genes, C. elegans has quickly been adopted as an outstanding model for stress and aging biology. Here, several standardized methods are surveyed for measuring lifespan and healthspan that can be easily adapted into almost any research environment, especially those with limited equipment and funds. The incredible utility of C. elegans is featured, highlighting the capacity to perform powerful genetic analyses in aging biology without the necessity of extensive infrastructure. Finally, the limitations of each analysis and alternative approaches are discussed for consideration.
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Abstract Since its introduction as a laboratory organism 50 years ago, the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has become one of the most widely used and versatile models for nearly all aspects of biological and genomic research. Many experiments in C. elegans begin with the generation and analysis of mutants that affect a specific biological process, so genetic techniques are the foundation of worm research. Many different aspects of biology are being studied in C. elegans , and three different recent Nobel Prizes have recognized six researchers working with worms. In addition, C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its genome sequenced, so many of the standard genomic methods have also been pioneered in C. elegans . In fact, many novel techniques and ideas are initially tested in C. elegans because of its versatility as a research organism. It is also appropriate for introducing undergraduate students to research, and some of its strengths and challenges for this purpose are discussed. © 2019 The Authors.
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Peptide hormones are conserved in living organisms to modulate homeostasis. To elucidate molecular mechanisms in the synthesis, secretion, and functions of peptide hormones, model organisms have been used. Caenorhabditis elegans, one of model organisms, is a good tool since: 1) genome size of the worm is small with over 40% homology to human genome, 2) numerous genetics methods are available, and 3) the worms are transparent throughout the life cycle, so that the secretion of peptide hormones can be followed at cellular level in living preparations by Green Fluorescent Protein tagged peptides. This review reports the structures, physiological functions, and secretion of insulin-like peptides, one family of peptide hormones, with our latest findings in the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans.
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Abstract Genetic analysis in the small nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has elucidated the mechanisms of many basic biological processes.
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