Indicted: worms caught using steroids.
Three recent papers provide new insights into endocrinology in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. These studies identify natural steroid ligands for the DAF-12 nuclear receptor, define a new enzyme in the hormone biosynthetic pathway, and clarify the role of endocrine signaling in adult longevity.
Beckstead
Robert B
RB
Department of Human Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Thummel
Carl S
CS
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008136:Longevity; D023421:Models, Animal; D009154:Mutation; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C410905:DAF-12 protein, C elegans; D008024:Ligands; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D013256:Steroids; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; C486228:DAF-9 protein, C elegans