Mediator subunit MDT-15 promotes expression of propionic acid breakdown genes to prevent embryonic lethality in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: The micronutrient vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor for two enzymes: methionine synthase, which plays a key role in the one-carbon cycle; and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, an enzyme in a pathway that breaks down branched-chain amino acids and odd-chain fatty acids. A second, vitamin B12-independent pathway that degrades propionic acid was recently described in Caenorhabditis elegans, the propionate shunt pathway. Activation of five shunt pathway genes in response to low vitamin B12 availability or high propionic acid levels is accomplished by a transcriptional regulatory mechanism involving two nuclear hormone receptors, NHR-10 and NHR-68. Here, we report that the C. elegans Mediator subunit mdt-15 is also essential for the activation of the propionate shunt pathway genes, likely by acting

SUBMITTER: Goh GYS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10234398 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature