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CYP35 family in Caenorhabditis elegans biological processes: fatty acid synthesis, xenobiotic metabolism, and stress responses

Lim SYM, Alshagga M, Kong C, Alshawsh MA, Alshehade SA, Pan Y

Arch Toxicol, 2022 12;96(12):3163-3174.
PMID: 36175686 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03382-3

With more than 80 cytochrome P450 (CYP) encoding genes found in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), the cyp35 genes are one of the important genes involved in many biological processes such as fatty acid synthesis and storage, xenobiotic stress response, dauer and eggshell formation, and xenobiotic metabolism. The C. elegans CYP35 subfamily consisted of A, B, C, and D, which have the closest homolog to human CYP2 family. C. elegans homologs could answer part of the hunt for human disease genes. This review aims to provide an overview of CYP35 in C. elegans and their human homologs, to explore the roles of CYP35 in various C. elegans biological processes, and how the genes of cyp35 upregulation or downregulation are influenced by biological processes, upon exposure to xenobiotics or changes in diet and environment. The C. elegans CYP35 gene expression could be upregulated by heavy metals, pesticides, anti-parasitic and anti-chemotherapeutic agents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nanoparticles, drugs, and organic chemical compounds. Among the cyp35 genes, cyp-35A2 is involved in most of the C. elegans biological processes regulation. Further venture of cyp35 genes, the closest homolog of CYP2 which is the largest family of human CYPs, may have the power to locate cyps gene targets, discovery of novel therapeutic strategies, and possibly a successful medical regime to combat obesity, cancers, and cyps gene-related diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics
Effects of simulated microgravity on gene expression and biological phenotypes of a single generation Caenorhabditis elegans cultured on 2 different media

Tee LF, Neoh HM, Then SM, Murad NA, Asillam MF, Hashim MH, et al.

Life Sci Space Res (Amst), 2017 Nov;15:11-17.
PMID: 29198309 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2017.06.002

Studies of multigenerational Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to long-term spaceflight have revealed expression changes of genes involved in longevity, DNA repair, and locomotion. However, results from spaceflight experiments are difficult to reproduce as space missions are costly and opportunities are rather limited for researchers. In addition, multigenerational cultures of C. elegans used in previous studies contribute to mixture of gene expression profiles from both larvae and adult worms, which were recently reported to be different. Usage of different culture media during microgravity simulation experiments might also give rise to differences in the gene expression and biological phenotypes of the worms. In this study, we investigated the effects of simulated microgravity on the gene expression and biological phenotype profiles of a single generation of C. elegans worms cultured on 2 different culture media. A desktop Random Positioning Machine (RPM) was used to simulate microgravity on the worms for approximately 52 to 54 h. Gene expression profile was analysed using the Affymetrix GeneChip® C. elegans 1.0 ST Array. Only one gene (R01H2.2) was found to be downregulated in nematode growth medium (NGM)-cultured worms exposed to simulated microgravity. On the other hand, eight genes were differentially expressed for C. elegans Maintenance Medium (CeMM)-cultured worms in microgravity; six were upregulated, while two were downregulated. Five of the upregulated genes (C07E3.15, C34H3.21, C32D5.16, F35H8.9 and C34F11.17) encode non-coding RNAs. In terms of biological phenotype, we observed that microgravity-simulated worms experienced minimal changes in terms of lifespan, locomotion and reproductive capabilities in comparison with the ground controls. Taking it all together, simulated microgravity on a single generation of C. elegans did not confer major changes to their gene expression and biological phenotype. Nevertheless, exposure of the worms to microgravity lead to higher expression of non-coding RNA genes, which may play an epigenetic role in the worms during longer terms of microgravity exposure.

Matched MeSH terms: Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics*
Brain monoamine vesicular transport disease caused by homozygous SLC18A2 variants: A study in 42 affected individuals

Saida K, Maroofian R, Sengoku T, Mitani T, Pagnamenta AT, Marafi D, et al.

Genet Med, 2023 Jan;25(1):90-102.
PMID: 36318270 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2022.09.010

PURPOSE: Brain monoamine vesicular transport disease is an infantile-onset movement disorder that mimics cerebral palsy. In 2013, the homozygous SLC18A2 variant, p.Pro387Leu, was first reported as a cause of this rare disorder, and dopamine agonists were efficient for treating affected individuals from a single large family. To date, only 6 variants have been reported. In this study, we evaluated genotype-phenotype correlations in individuals with biallelic SLC18A2 variants.
METHODS: A total of 42 affected individuals with homozygous SLC18A2 variant alleles were identified. We evaluated genotype-phenotype correlations and the missense variants in the affected individuals based on the structural modeling of rat VMAT2 encoded by Slc18a2, with cytoplasm- and lumen-facing conformations. A Caenorhabditis elegans model was created for functional studies.
RESULTS: A total of 19 homozygous SLC18A2 variants, including 3 recurrent variants, were identified using exome sequencing. The affected individuals typically showed global developmental delay, hypotonia, dystonia, oculogyric crisis, and autonomic nervous system involvement (temperature dysregulation/sweating, hypersalivation, and gastrointestinal dysmotility). Among the 58 affected individuals described to date, 16 (28%) died before the age of 13 years. Of the 17 patients with p.Pro237His, 9 died, whereas all 14 patients with p.Pro387Leu survived. Although a dopamine agonist mildly improved the disease symptoms in 18 of 21 patients (86%), some affected individuals with p.Ile43Phe and p.Pro387Leu showed milder phenotypes and presented prolonged survival even without treatment. The C. elegans model showed behavioral abnormalities.
CONCLUSION: These data expand the phenotypic and genotypic spectra of SLC18A2-related disorders.

Matched MeSH terms: Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics
Fulltext Burkholderia pseudomallei suppresses Caenorhabditis elegans immunity by specific degradation of a GATA transcription factor

Lee SH, Wong RR, Chin CY, Lim TY, Eng SA, Kong C, et al.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2013 Sep 10;110(37):15067-72.
PMID: 23980181 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1311725110

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that infects both humans and animals. Although cell culture studies have revealed significant insights into factors contributing to virulence and host defense, the interactions between this pathogen and its intact host remain to be elucidated. To gain insights into the host defense responses to B. pseudomallei infection within an intact host, we analyzed the genome-wide transcriptome of infected Caenorhabditis elegans and identified ∼6% of the nematode genes that were significantly altered over a 12-h course of infection. An unexpected feature of the transcriptional response to B. pseudomallei was a progressive increase in the proportion of down-regulated genes, of which ELT-2 transcriptional targets were significantly enriched. ELT-2 is an intestinal GATA transcription factor with a conserved role in immune responses. We demonstrate that B. pseudomallei down-regulation of ELT-2 targets is associated with degradation of ELT-2 protein by the host ubiquitin-proteasome system. Degradation of ELT-2 requires the B. pseudomallei type III secretion system. Together, our studies using an intact host provide evidence for pathogen-mediated host immune suppression through the destruction of a host transcription factor.

Matched MeSH terms: Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics
Swietenia macrophylla extract promotes the ability of Caenorhabditis elegans to survive Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Dharmalingam K, Tan BK, Mahmud MZ, Sedek SA, Majid MI, Kuah MK, et al.

J Ethnopharmacol, 2012 Jan 31;139(2):657-63.
PMID: 22193176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.016

Swietenia macrophylla or commonly known as big leaf mahogany, has been traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Matched MeSH terms: Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics
Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra Jaeger, 1833) rescues Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected Caenorhabditis elegans via reduction of pathogen virulence factors and enhancement of host immunity

Lee WT, Tan BK, Eng SA, Yuen GC, Chan KL, Sim YK, et al.

Food Funct, 2019 Sep 01;10(9):5759-5767.
PMID: 31453615 DOI: 10.1039/c9fo01357a

A strategy to circumvent the problem of multidrug resistant pathogens is the discovery of anti-infectives targeting bacterial virulence or host immunity. Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) is a tropical sea cucumber species traditionally consumed as a remedy for many ailments. There is a paucity of knowledge on the anti-infective capacity of H. atra and the underlying mechanisms involved. The objective of this study is to utilize the Caenorhabditis elegans-P. aeruginosa infection model to elucidate the anti-infective properties of H. atra. A bioactive H. atra extract and subsequently its fraction were shown to have the capability of promoting the survival of C. elegans during a customarily lethal P. aeruginosa infection. The same entities also attenuate the production of elastase, protease, pyocyanin and biofilm in P. aeruginosa. The treatment of infected transgenic lys-7::GFP worms with this H. atra fraction restores the repressed expression of the defense enzyme lys-7, indicating an improved host immunity. QTOF-LCMS analysis revealed the presence of aspidospermatidine, an indole alkaloid, and inosine in this fraction. Collectively, our findings show that H. atra possesses anti-infective properties against P. aeruginosa infection, by inhibiting pathogen virulence and, eventually, reinstating host lys-7 expression.

Matched MeSH terms: Caenorhabditis elegans/genetics