C. elegans molting requires rhythmic accumulation of the Grainyhead/LSF transcription factor GRH-1.

ABSTRACT: C. elegans develops through four larval stages that are rhythmically terminated by molts, that is, the synthesis and shedding of a cuticular exoskeleton. Each larval cycle involves rhythmic accumulation of thousands of transcripts, which we show here relies on rhythmic transcription. To uncover the responsible gene regulatory networks (GRNs), we screened for transcription factors that promote progression through the larval stages and identified GRH-1, BLMP-1, NHR-23, NHR-25, MYRF-1, and BED-3. We further characterize GRH-1, a Grainyhead/LSF transcription factor, whose orthologues in other animals are key epithelial cell-fate regulators. We find that GRH-1 depletion extends molt durations, impairs cuticle integrity and shedding, and causes larval death. GRH-1 is required for, and accumulate

SUBMITTER: Meeuse MWM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9929640 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature