Biological responsiveness to the phorbol esters and specific binding of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a manipulable genetic system.
Because of its suitability for genetic studies, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was examined for its responsiveness to the phorbol esters. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate had three effects. It inhibited the increase in animal size during growth; it decreased the yield of progeny; and it caused uncoordinated movement of the adult. The effects on nematode size, progeny yield, and movement were quantitated. Concentrations of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate yielding half-maximal responses were 440, 460, and 170 nM, respectively. As was expected from the biological responsiveness of the nematodes, specific, saturable binding of phorbol ester to nematode extracts was found. [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate bound with a dissociation constant of 26.8 +/- 3.9 nM. At saturation, 5.7 +/- 1.4 pmole/mg protein was bound.
D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate; D010703:Phorbol Esters / Q000378:metabolism*; D010704:Phorbols / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000633:toxicity*; D014316:Tritium
D002273:Carcinogens; D010703:Phorbol Esters; D010704:Phorbols; D014316:Tritium; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate