Title

Methylation of the sterol nucleus by STRM-1 regulates dauer larva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Document Type

Article

Peer Reviewed

1

Publication Date

6-1-2009

NLM Title Abbreviation

Dev Cell

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Developmental cell

PubMed ID

19531354

DOI of Published Version

10.1016/j.devcel.2009.04.012

Start Page

833

End Page

843

Abstract

In response to pheromone(s), Caenorhabditis elegans interrupts its reproductive life cycle and enters diapause as a stress-resistant dauer larva. This decision is governed by a complex system of neuronal and hormonal regulation. All the signals converge onto the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12. A sterol-derived hormone, dafachronic acid (DA), supports reproductive development by binding to DAF-12 and inhibiting its dauer-promoting activity. Here, we identify a methyltransferase, STRM-1, that modulates DA levels and thus dauer formation. By modifying the substrates that are used for the synthesis of DA, STRM-1 can reduce the amount of hormone produced. Loss of STRM-1 function leads to elevated levels of DA and inefficient dauer formation. Sterol methylation was not previously recognized as a mechanism for regulating hormone activity. Moreover, the C-4 sterol nucleus methylation catalyzed by STRM-1 is unique to nematodes and thus could be a target for therapeutic strategies against parasitic nematode infections.

Keywords

Animals, Caenorhabditis elegans/cytology/enzymology/growth & development/metabolism, Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics/metabolism, Cholestenes/metabolism, Cholesterol/metabolism, Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism, Gene Deletion, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects, Larva/cytology/drug effects/growth & development/metabolism, Methylation/drug effects, Methyltransferases/genetics/metabolism, Models, Biological, Pheromones/pharmacology, Protein Methyltransferases/metabolism, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism, Sterols/chemistry/metabolism, Substrate Specificity/drug effects

Published Article/Book Citation

Developmental cell, 16:6 (2009) pp.833-843. DOI:doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2009.04.012.

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URL

https://ir.uiowa.edu/nursing_pubs/914