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Int J Mol Sci,
2019]
Pheromones are neuronal signals that stimulate conspecific individuals to react to environmental stressors or stimuli. Research on the ascaroside (ascr) pheromones in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> and other nematodes has made great progress since ascr#1 was first isolated and biochemically defined in 2005. In this review, we highlight the current research on the structural diversity, biosynthesis, and pleiotropic neuronal functions of ascr pheromones and their implications in animal physiology. Experimental evidence suggests that ascr biosynthesis starts with conjugation of ascarylose to very long-chain fatty acids that are then processed via peroxisomal -oxidation to yield diverse ascr pheromones. We also discuss the concentration and stage-dependent pleiotropic neuronal functions of ascr pheromones. These functions include dauer induction, lifespan extension, repulsion, aggregation, mating, foraging and detoxification, among others. These roles are carried out in coordination with three G protein-coupled receptors that function as putative pheromone receptors: SRBC-64/66, SRG-36/37, and DAF-37/38. Pheromone sensing is transmitted in sensory neurons via DAF-16-regulated glutamatergic neurotransmitters. Neuronal peroxisomal fatty acid -oxidation has important cell-autonomous functions in the regulation of neuroendocrine signaling, including neuroprotection. In the future, translation of our knowledge of nematode ascr pheromones to higher animals might be beneficial, as ascr#1 has some anti-inflammatory effects in mice. To this end, we propose the establishment of <b> <i>pheromics</i> </b> (<i>pher</i>omone <i>o</i><i>mics</i>) as a new subset of integrated disciplinary research area within chemical ecology for system-wide investigation of animal pheromones.
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Curr Biol,
2009]
Condensins are conserved protein complexes that play integral roles in chromosome dynamics during mitosis and meiosis. Caenorhabditis elegans has been thought to be unusual in that it appeared to lack a typical condensin I complex. However, recent biochemical excavating in the nematode has unearthed the 'missing' condensin I complex as well as the worm homologs of long-lost canonical condensin subunits.
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Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci,
2024]
Among nematodes, the free-living model organism <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> boasts the most advanced portfolio of high-quality omics data. The resources available for parasitic nematodes, including <i>Strongyloides</i> spp., however, are lagging behind. While <i>C. elegans</i> remains the most tractable nematode and has significantly advanced our understanding of many facets of nematode biology, <i>C. elegans</i> is not suitable as a surrogate system for the study of parasitism and it is important that we improve the omics resources available for parasitic nematode species. Here, we review the omics data available for <i>Strongyloides</i> spp<i>.</i> and compare the available resources to those for <i>C. elegans</i> and other parasitic nematodes. The advancements in <i>C. elegans</i> omics offer a blueprint for improving omics-led research in <i>Strongyloides</i>. We suggest areas of priority for future research that will pave the way for expansions in omics resources and technologies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue '<i>Strongyloides</i>: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Front Neurosci,
2020]
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (<i>LRRK2</i>) gene are the most frequent cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Several genetic manipulations of the <i>LRRK2</i> gene have been developed in animal models such as rodents, <i>Drosophila</i>, <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, and zebrafish. These models can help us further understand the biological function and derive potential pathological mechanisms for LRRK2. Here we discuss common phenotypic themes found in <i>LRRK2</i>-associated PD animal models, highlight several issues that should be addressed in future models, and discuss emerging areas to guide their future development.
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J Fungi (Basel),
2018]
Dimorphic fungi can be found in the yeast form during infection and as hyphae in the environment and are responsible for a large number of infections worldwide. Invertebrate animals have been shown to be convenient models in the study of fungal infections. These models have the advantages of being low cost, have no ethical issues, and an ease of experimentation, time-efficiency, and the possibility of using a large number of animals per experiment compared to mammalian models. Invertebrate animal models such as <i>Galleria mellonella</i>, <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, and <i>Acanthamoeba</i><i>castellanii</i> have been used to study dimorphic fungal infections in the context of virulence, innate immune response, and the efficacy and toxicity of antifungal agents. In this review, we first summarize the features of these models. In this aspect, the growth temperature, genome sequence, availability of different strains, and body characteristics should be considered in the model choice. Finally, we discuss the contribution and advances of these models, with respect to dimorphic fungi <i>Paracoccidioides</i> spp., <i>Histoplasma capsulatum</i>, <i>Blastomyces dermatitidis</i>, <i>Sporothrix</i> spp., and <i>Talaromyces marneffei (Penicillium marneffei)</i>.
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Bioengineering (Basel),
2019]
This is a literature teaching resource review for biologically inspired microfluidics courses or exploring the diverse applications of microfluidics. The structure is around key papers and model organisms. While courses gradually change over time, a focus remains on understanding how microfluidics has developed as well as what it can and cannot do for researchers. As a primary starting point, we cover micro-fluid mechanics principles and microfabrication of devices. A variety of applications are discussed using model prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms from the set of bacteria (<i>Escherichia coli</i>), trypanosomes (<i>Trypanosoma brucei</i>), yeast (<i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>), slime molds (<i>Physarum polycephalum</i>), worms (<i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>), flies (<i>Drosophila melangoster</i>), plants (<i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>), and mouse immune cells (<i>Mus musculus</i>). Other engineering and biochemical methods discussed include biomimetics, organ on a chip, inkjet, droplet microfluidics, biotic games, and diagnostics. While we have not yet reached the end-all lab on a chip, microfluidics can still be used effectively for specific applications.
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J Fungi (Basel),
2018]
<i>C. elegans</i> has several advantages as an experimental host for the study of infectious diseases. Worms are easily maintained and propagated on bacterial lawns. The worms can be frozen for long term storage and still maintain viability years later. Their short generation time and large brood size of thousands of worms grown on a single petri dish, makes it relatively easy to maintain at a low cost. The typical wild type adult worm grows to approximately 1.5 mm in length and are transparent, allowing for the identification of several internal organs using an affordable dissecting microscope. A large collection of loss of function mutant strains are readily available from the <i>C. elegans</i> genetic stock center, making targeted genetic studies in the nematode possible. Here we describe ways in which this facile model host has been used to study <i>Candida albicans</i>, an opportunistic fungal pathogen that poses a serious public health threat.
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Front Neurosci,
2019]
The nematode <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> expresses the <i>
ten-1</i> gene that encodes teneurin. TEN-1 protein is expressed throughout the life of <i>C. elegans</i>. The loss of <i>
ten-1</i> function results in embryonic and larval lethality, highlighting its importance for fundamental processes during development. TEN-1 is expressed in the epidermis and neurons. Defects in neuronal pathfinding and epidermal closure are characteristic of <i>
ten-1</i> loss-of-function mutations. The molecular mechanisms of TEN-1 function in neurite outgrowth, neuronal pathfinding, and dendritic morphology in <i>C. elegans</i> are largely unknown. Its genetic redundancy with the extracellular matrix receptors integrin and dystroglycan and genetic interactions with several basement membrane components suggest a role for TEN-1 in the maintenance of basement membrane integrity, which is essential for neuronal guidance. Identification of the <i>
lat-1</i> gene in <i>C. elegans</i>, which encodes latrophilin, as an interaction partner of <i>
ten-1</i> provides further mechanistic insights into TEN-1 function in neuronal development. However, receptor-ligand interactions between LAT-1 and TEN-1 remain to be experimentally proven. The present review discusses the function of teneurin in <i>C. elegans</i>, with a focus on its involvement in the formation of receptor signaling complexes and neuronal networks.
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J Fungi (Basel),
2020]
<i>Malassezia</i> is a lipid-dependent genus of yeasts known for being an important part of the skin mycobiota. These yeasts have been associated with the development of skin disorders and cataloged as a causal agent of systemic infections under specific conditions, making them opportunistic pathogens. Little is known about the host-microbe interactions of <i>Malassezia</i> spp., and unraveling this implies the implementation of infection models. In this mini review, we present different models that have been implemented in fungal infections studies with greater attention to <i>Malassezia</i> spp. infections. These models range from in vitro (cell cultures and ex vivo tissue), to in vivo (murine models, rabbits, guinea pigs, insects, nematodes, and amoebas). We additionally highlight the alternative models that reduce the use of mammals as model organisms, which have been gaining importance in the study of fungal host-microbe interactions. This is due to the fact that these systems have been shown to have reliable results, which correlate with those obtained from mammalian models. Examples of alternative models are <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>, <i>Tenebrio molitor</i>, and <i>Galleria mellonella</i>. These are invertebrates that have been implemented in the study of <i>Malassezia</i> spp. infections in order to identify differences in virulence between <i>Malassezia</i> species.
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Curr Res Food Sci,
2021]
<i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, a free-living nematode, is an animal model that has been extensively employed in a variety of research fields, including in the study of obesity. Its favorable features include its compact size, short life cycle, large brood size, easy handling, low cost, availability of complete genetic information, 65% conserved human diseases-associated genes, relatively easy genetic manipulation, and research using <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> does not require approvals by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. These advantages make <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> a great <i>in vivo</i> model for life science research including obesity research. In this review, we provide graphic overviews of <i>Caenorhabditis elegans'</i> basic anatomy, growth conditions, routes of compound delivery, and fat metabolism, both synthesis and degradation pathways, including major signaling pathways involved. Our aim is to provide an overview for researchers interested in applying <i>C. elegans</i> as an <i>in vivo</i> model for the screening and identification of anti-obesity bioactive compounds prior to testing in vertebrate animal models.