Project description:We identified target genes for NHR-25 by ChIP-seq at L1 stage of C. elegans. Transcription factor genes were tagged with GFP and their expression examined at L1 stage. Since there are no direct target genes known for NHR-25 that can be used for assessment of enrichment efficiency by quantitative PCR (qPCR), we chose to repeat ChIP-seq experiment of another GFP tagged transcription factor, PHA-4 for which the ChIP-seq was performed during a pilot experiment of modENCODE project using the same transgenic strain and antibody (a gift from Tony Hyman lab). pha-4 and nhr-25 transgenic worm were studied in Fed L1 stage.
Project description:The gene nhr-6 encodes the sole C. elegans NR4A nuclear receptor homolog which has a critical role in organogenesis by regulating the development of the spermatheca organ. Here we utilized chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) to identify NHR-6 binding sites during both the late L3/early L4 and mid L4 developmental stages. Our results revealed 30,745 enriched binding sites for NHR-6 with sites specific to each developmental stage and sites found in both stages. Additionally, ~70% of enriched sites were found within 3 kb upstream of a gene transcription start site. Binding sites for a cohort of candidate target genes with probable functions in spermatheca organogenesis were validated through qPCR. Reproductive and spermatheca phenotypes were also evaluated for these genes following a loss-of-function RNAi screen which revealed several genes with critical functions during spermatheca organogenesis. Our results uncovered a complex nuclear receptor regulatory network whereby NHR-6 regulates multiple cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism.
Project description:Exposure to low levels of environmental challenges, known as hormetic stress, such as nutrient deprivation and heat shock, fosters subsequent stress resistance and promotes healthy aging in later life. However, specific mechanisms governing transcriptional reprogramming upon hormetic nutrient stress remain elusive. In this study, we identified histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) as a crucial driver of transcriptomic adaptation to hormetic fasting. Beyond its immediate function of enhancing lipid catabolism for alternative energy sources, stress-induced H3K27ac activates lifelong antioxidant defenses, thereby reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by stress-induced fatty acid oxidation and their accumulation during aging. The increase in H3K27ac, mediated by pioneer factor PHA-4/FOXA and cooperating transcription factor NHR-49/HNF4, is crucial for lifespan extension under hermetic nutrient stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our findings establish H3K27ac as a key transcriptional switch that bridges nutrient status with transcriptomic reprogramming, underpinning the pro-longevity effects of hormetic fasting through orchestrating lipid catabolism and antioxidative defenses.
Project description:We identified target genes for NHR-25 by ChIP-seq at L1 stage of C. elegans. Transcription factor genes were tagged with GFP and their expression examined at L1 stage. Since there are no direct target genes known for NHR-25 that can be used for assessment of enrichment efficiency by quantitative PCR (qPCR), we chose to repeat ChIP-seq experiment of another GFP tagged transcription factor, PHA-4 for which the ChIP-seq was performed during a pilot experiment of modENCODE project using the same transgenic strain and antibody (a gift from Tony Hyman lab).
Project description:Purpose: Naringin (Nar) is a dihydroflavonoid compound, which is widely found in Chinese herbal medicine and citrus fruit. As one of the phytochemicals, it acts as a dietary supplement and can delay aging and prevent aging-related disease, such as obesity and diabetes. However, the exact mechanism still partially remained unclear. Methods: In this study, the high-glucose induced (HGI) Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to evaluate the anti-aging and anti-obesity effects of Nar. Results: It indicated that the mean lifespan and fast movement span of HGI worms were extended roughly 24% and 11% by Nar treatment, respectively. Oil red O staining revealed the significant reduction of fat accumulation (P<0.05) and the dFP::LGG labeled worms showed the promotion of autophagy. Additionally, the whole transcript sequencing and gene set variation analysis algorithm suggested that Nar improved the lipid biosynthesis and metabolism pathways, as well as the TGF-β, Wnt and longevity signaling pathway. The PPI network was applied to screen out hub genes in the above-mentioned pathways for further analysis. The expression levels of hub genes fat-7 and ech-6 were down-regulated, as well as aak-2, nhr-49, acs-2, hlh-30, lgg-1, unc-51, pha-4, skn-1 and yap-1 were up-regulated. Then, mutant worms and RNA interference were used to study the mechanism. It revealed that suppression of the expression of autophagy related genes including hlh-30, lgg-1, unc-51, pha-4, skn-1 and yap-1 could disable the fat-lowering, lifespan-prolonging, and health-promoting properties of Nar. Finally, a competing endogenous RNAs network was constructed to profoundly understand the beneficial mechanism caused by Nar. Conclusions: our findings elucidate that Nar plays the important role to alleviate HGI aging and anti-obesity effects by reducing fat accumulation and promoting autophagy.