The Caenorhabditis elegans NR4A nuclear receptor is required for spermatheca morphogenesis.
The gene nhr-6 encodes the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of the NR4A nuclear receptor. We determined the biological functions of NHR-6 through the isolation and characterization of a deletion allele of nhr-6, lg6001. We demonstrate that nhr-6 has an essential role in the development of the C. elegans somatic gonad. Specifically, nhr-6 is required for the development of the hermaphrodite spermatheca, a somatic gonad organ that serves as the site of sperm storage and oocyte fertilization. Using a variety of spermatheca cell markers, we have determined that loss of nhr-6 function causes severe morphological defects in the spermatheca and associated spermathecal valves. This appears to be due to specific requirements for nhr-6 in regulating cell proliferation and cell differentiation during development of these structures. The improper development of these structures in nhr-6(lg6001) mutants leads to defects in ovulation and significantly reduced fecundity of C. elegans hermaphrodites. The phenotypes of nhr-6(lg6001) mutants are consistent with a role for nhr-6 in organogenesis, similar to the functions of its mammalian homologs.
Gissendanner
Chris R
CR
Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209, USA. gissendanner@ulm.edu
Kelley
Kristopher
K
Nguyen
Tri Q
TQ
Hoener
Marius C
MC
Sluder
Ann E
AE
Maina
Claude V
CV
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006066:Gonads / Q000166:cytology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size; D038081:Organogenesis; D010060:Ovulation; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C526782:Nhr-6 protein, C elegans; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins