pkc-1 regulates daf-2 insulin/IGF signalling-dependent control of dauer formation in Caenorhabditis elegans

In Caenorhabditis elegans, the insulin/IGF pathway participates in the decision to initiate dauer development. Dauer is a diapause stage that is triggered by environmental stresses, such as a lack of nutrients. Insulin/IGF receptor mutants arrest constitutively in dauer, an effect that can be suppressed by mutations in other elements of the insulin/IGF pathway or by a reduction in the activity of the nuclear hormone receptor daf‐12. We have isolated a pkc‐1 mutant that acts as a novel suppressor of the dauer phenotypes caused by insulin/IGF receptor mutations. Interactions between insulin/IGF mutants and the pkc‐1 suppressor mutant are similar to those described for daf‐12 or the DAF‐12 coregulator din‐1. Moreover, we show that the expression of the DAF‐12 target daf‐9, which is normally elevated upon a reduction in insulin/IGF receptor activity, is suppressed in a pkc‐1 mutant background, suggesting that pkc‐1 could link the daf‐12 and insulin/IGF pathways. pkc‐1 has been implicated in the regulation of peptide neurosecretion in C. elegans. Although we demonstrate that pkc‐1 expression in the nervous system regulates dauer formation, our results suggest that the requirement for pkc‐1 in neurosecretion is independent of its role in modulating insulin/IGF signalling. pkc‐1 belongs to the novel protein kinase C (nPKC) family, members of which have been implicated in insulin resistance and diabetes in mammals, suggesting a conserved role for pkc‐1 in the regulation of the insulin/IGF pathway.     

The solution structure of the forkhead box‐O DNA binding domain of Brugia malayi DAF‐16a

Brugia malayi is a parasitic nematode that causes lymphatic filariasis in humans. Here the solution structure of the forkhead DNA binding domain of Brugia malayi DAF‐16a, a putative ortholog of Caenorhabditis elegans DAF‐16, is reported. It is believed to be the first structure of a forkhead or winged helix domain from an invertebrate. C. elegans DAF‐16 is involved in the insulin/IGF‐I signaling pathway and helps control metabolism, longevity, and development. Conservation of sequence and structure with human FOXO proteins suggests that B. malayi DAF‐16a is a member of the FOXO family of forkhead proteins. Proteins 2014; 82:3490–3496. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Attenuation of insulin signalling contributes to FSN‐1‐mediated regulation of synapse development

A neuronal F‐box protein FSN‐1 regulates Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junction development by negatively regulating DLK‐mediated MAPK signalling. In the present study, we show that attenuation of insulin/IGF signalling also contributes to FSN‐1‐dependent synaptic development and function. The aberrant synapse morphology and synaptic transmission in fsn‐1 mutants are partially and specifically rescued by reducing insulin/IGF‐signalling activity in postsynaptic muscles, as well as by reducing the activity of EGL‐3, a prohormone convertase that processes agonistic insulin/IGF ligands INS‐4 and INS‐6, in neurons. FSN‐1 interacts with, and potentiates the ubiquitination of EGL‐3 in vitro, and reduces the EGL‐3 level in vivo. We propose that FSN‐1 may negatively regulate insulin/IGF signalling, in part, through EGL‐3‐dependent insulin‐like ligand processing.     

MPK‐1/ERK is required for the full activity of resveratrol in extended lifespan and reproduction

Resveratrol (RSV) extends the lifespan of various organisms through activation of sirtuin. However, whether RSV‐mediated longevity is entirely dependent upon sirtuin is still controversial. Thus, understanding additional mechanisms concerning the genetic requirements for the biological activity of RSV needs to be clarified to utilize the beneficial effects of RSV. In this study using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system, we found that MPK‐1 (an ERK homolog) signaling is necessarily required for RSV‐mediated longevity of sir‐2.1/sirtuin mutants as well as for wild‐type worms. We demonstrated that MPK‐1 contributes to RSV‐mediated longevity through nuclear accumulation of SKN‐1 in a SIR‐2.1/DAF‐16 pathway‐independent manner. The positive effect of RSV in regulating lifespan was completely abolished by RNA interference against mpk‐1 in the sir‐2.1 and daf‐16 mutants, strongly indicating that the MPK‐1/SKN‐1 pathway is involved in RSV‐mediated longevity, independently of SIR‐2.1/DAF‐16. We additionally found that RSV protected worms from oxidative stress via MPK‐1. In addition to organismal aging, RSV prevented the age‐associated loss of mitotic germ cells, brood size, and reproductive span through MPK‐1 in C. elegans germline. Therefore, our findings not only provide new mechanistic insight into the controversial effects of RSV on organismal longevity, but additionally have important implications in utilizing RSV to improve the outcome of aging‐related diseases.     

Studies of Caenorhabditis elegans DAF-2/insulin signaling reveal targets for pharmacological manipulation of lifespan

Much excitement has arisen from the observation that decrements in insulin‐like signaling can dramatically extend lifespan in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, and fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, there are tantalizing hints that the IGF‐I pathway in mice may have similar effects. In addition to dramatic effects on lifespan, invertebrate insulin‐like signaling also promotes changes in stress resistance, metabolism and development. Which, if any, of the various phenotypes of insulin pathway mutants are relevant to longevity? What are the genes that function in collaboration with insulin to prolong lifespan? These questions are at the heart of current research in C. elegans longevity. Two main theories exist as to the mechanism behind insulin's effects on invertebrate longevity. One theory is that insulin programs metabolic parameters that prolong or reduce lifespan. The other theory is that insulin determines the cell's ability to endure oxidative stress from respiration, thereby determining the rate of aging. However, these mechanisms are not mutually exclusive and several studies seem to support a role for both. Here, we review recently published reports investigating the mechanisms behind insulin's dramatic effect on longevity. We also spotlight several C. elegans genes that are now known to interact with insulin signaling to determine lifespan. These insights into pathways affecting invertebrate lifespan may provide a basis for developing strategies for pharmacological manipulation of human lifespan.     

Modulation of Caenorhabditis elegans infection sensitivity by the LIN-7 cell junction protein

In Caenorhabditis elegans, the LIN‐2/7/10 protein complex regulates the activity of signalling proteins. We found that inhibiting lin‐7 function, and also lin‐2 and lin‐10, resulted in enhanced C. elegans survival after infection by Burkholderia spp., implicating a novel role for these genes in modulating infection outcomes. Genetic experiments suggested that this infection phenotype is likely caused by modulation of the DAF‐2 insulin/IGF‐1 signalling pathway. Supporting these observations, yeast two‐hybrid assays confirmed that the LIN‐2 PDZ domain can physically bind to the DAF‐2 C‐terminus. Loss of lin‐7 activity also altered DAF‐16 nuclear localization kinetics, indicating an additional contribution by hsf‐1. Unexpectedly, silencing lin‐7 in the hypodermis, but not the intestine, was protective against infection, implicating the hypodermis as a key tissue in this phenomenon. Finally, consistent with lin‐7 acting as a general host infection factor, lin‐7 mutants also exhibited enhanced survival upon infectionby two other Gram‐negative pathogens, Pseudomonas and Salmonella spp.