The DAF-7 TGF-beta signaling pathway regulates chemosensory receptor gene expression in C. elegans.
Regulation of chemoreceptor gene expression in response to environmental or developmental cues provides a mechanism by which animals can alter their sensory responses. Here we demonstrate a role for the daf-7 TGF-beta pathway in the regulation of expression of a subset of chemoreceptor genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. We describe a novel role of this pathway in maintaining receptor gene expression in the adult and show that the DAF-4 type II TGF-beta receptor functions cell-autonomously to modulate chemoreceptor expression. We also find that the alteration of receptor gene expression in the ASI chemosensory neurons by environmental signals, such as levels of a constitutively produced pheromone, may be mediated via a DAF-7-independent pathway. Receptor gene expression in the ASI and ASH sensory neurons appears to be regulated via distinct mechanisms. Our results suggest that the expression of individual chemoreceptor genes in C. elegans is subject to multiple modes of regulation, thereby ensuring that animals exhibit the responses most appropriate for their developmental stage and environmental conditions.
Nolan
Katherine M
KM
Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, USA.
Sarafi-Reinach
Trina R
TR
Horne
Jennifer G
JG
Saffer
Adam M
AM
Sengupta
Piali
P
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D051785:Smad Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C410905:DAF-12 protein, C elegans; C108738:DAF-3 protein, C elegans; C102095:DAF-7 protein, C elegans; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051785:Smad Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C083704:daf-4 protein, C elegans