title: Role of matrix metalloproteinase ZMP-2 in pathogen resistance and development in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: The genome of Caenorhabditis elegans includes six homologs of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The C. elegans MMP gene zmp-1 has recently been shown to be involved in anchor cell invasion during post-embryonic vulval development. Here, we identified H19M22.3 (zmp-2) as a pleiotropic MMP gene regulating disease resistance, molting, larval development, and fecundity. Zmp-2(RNAi) nematodes showed significant lifespan reduction during infection with pathogenic Photorhabdus luminescence. Moreover, we observed molting defects indicating a direct or regulative role in extracellular matrix degradation during ecdysis, delayed larval to adult development, and reduced offspring production in hermaphrodite adults. GFP-expressing nematodes revealed predominant expression of zmp-2 in multiple cells during embryogenesis; in hypodermal, muscle, and somatic gonad cells during larval development; and in developing and mature spermathecae in the L4 larval stage and adults. These results give evidence for pleiotropic roles of zmp-2 and provide novel insights into evolutionarily conserved and derived MMP functions in C. elegans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Emory University, O. Wayne Rollins Research Center, 1510 E. Clifton Rd. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. boran.altincicek@emory.edu
authors.forename: Boran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Altincicek
authors.forename: Malaika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lüersen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boll
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vilcinskas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000235:genetics; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D018978:Molting / Q000235:genetics; D020637:Photorhabdus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015202:Protein Engineering; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C112614:ZMP-2 protein, C elegans