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A DNA synthesis inhibitor is protective against proteotoxic stressors via modulation of fertility pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: Loss of germline precursor cells in C. elegans has previously been shown to improve protein homeostasis and extend lifespan, possibly due to reallocation of resources to somatic cells. In contrast, mutants that are sterile simply due to loss of sperm or oocyte production have a normal lifespan, often leading to the conclusion that loss of reproduction per se may have minor effects on C. elegans. We have found that inhibiting reproduction in C. elegans via the DNA synthesis inhibitor 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine (FUdR) improves protein homeostasis, stress resistance, and healthspan in wild-type animals. We find that FUdR is dependent on oogenesis and oocytic maturation. The effects of FUdR are dependent on FEM pathways, which regulate initiation of spermatogenesis. Loss of FEM expression leads to feminized animals that maintain arrested oocytes and are refractory to the effects of FUdR. FUdR-dependence is restored by spermatogenic signals, which trigger oocytic maturation and ovulation. Further, loss of FEM-3, a novel protein required for spermatogenesis, is sufficient to improve aspects of proteostasis. These effects are independent of previously described germline signals, including the DAF-16/FOXO, DAF-12/VDR, and HSF-1 pathways. These findings suggest that genetic or chemical inhibition of oocyte production can improve protein homeostasis in C. elegans.

SUBMITTER: Angeli S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3838778 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A DNA synthesis inhibitor is protective against proteotoxic stressors via modulation of fertility pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Angeli Suzanne S Klang Ida I Sivapatham Renuka R Mark Karla K Zucker David D Bhaumik Dipa D Lithgow Gordon J GJ Andersen Julie K JK

Aging 20131001 10

Loss of germline precursor cells in C. elegans has previously been shown to improve protein homeostasis and extend lifespan, possibly due to reallocation of resources to somatic cells. In contrast, mutants that are sterile simply due to loss of sperm or oocyte production have a normal lifespan, often leading to the conclusion that loss of reproduction per se may have minor effects on C. elegans. We have found that inhibiting reproduction in C. elegans via the DNA synthesis inhibitor 5-fluoro-2-d ...[more]

PMID: 24123581

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Project description:α1-antitrypsin deficiency (ATD) predisposes patients to both loss-of-function (emphysema) and gain-of-function (liver cirrhosis) phenotypes depending on the type of mutation. Although the Z mutation (ATZ) is the most prevalent cause of ATD, >120 mutant alleles have been identified. In general, these mutations are classified as deficient (<20% normal plasma levels) or null (<1% normal levels) alleles. The deficient alleles, like ATZ, misfold in the ER where they accumulate as toxic monomers, oligomers and aggregates. Thus, deficient alleles may predispose to both gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes. Null variants, if translated, typically yield truncated proteins that are efficiently degraded after being transiently retained in the ER. Clinically, null alleles are only associated with the loss-of-function phenotype. We recently developed a C. elegans model of ATD in order to further elucidate the mechanisms of proteotoxicity (gain-of-function phenotype) induced by the aggregation-prone deficient allele, ATZ. The goal of this study was to use this C. elegans model to determine whether different types of deficient and null alleles, which differentially affect polymerization and secretion rates, correlated to any extent with proteotoxicity. Animals expressing the deficient alleles, Mmalton, Siiyama and S (ATS), showed overall toxicity comparable to that observed in patients. Interestingly, Siiyama expressing animals had smaller intracellular inclusions than ATZ yet appeared to have a greater negative effect on animal fitness. Surprisingly, the null mutants, although efficiently degraded, showed a relatively mild gain-of-function proteotoxic phenotype. However, since null variant proteins are degraded differently and do not appear to accumulate, their mechanism of proteotoxicity is likely to be different to that of polymerizing, deficient mutants. Taken together, these studies showed that C. elegans is an inexpensive tool to assess the proteotoxicity of different AT variants using a transgenic approach.

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A DNA synthesis inhibitor is protective against proteotoxic stressors via modulation of fertility pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Publications

A DNA synthesis inhibitor is protective against proteotoxic stressors via modulation of fertility pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans.

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