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