title: C. elegans nuclear receptor NHR-6 functionally interacts with the jun-1 transcription factor during spermatheca development.
abstract: The NR4A nuclear receptor NHR-6 is an essential regulator of spermatheca organogenesis in C. elegans. In this study, we perform a focused, RNAi-based screen to identify modifiers of partial nhr-6 loss of function. Ninety-eight genes that encode signaling proteins expressed in the spermatheca were screened for enhancement of the nhr-6 RNAi phenotype. We identify the C. elegans gene jun-1, which encodes the homolog of the Jun transcription factor, as a strong enhancer of nhr-6 partial loss of function. We show that nhr-6 and jun-1 function together to regulate development of the spermatheca and are necessary for generating an organ with the normal number of cells. jun-1 is expressed in all cells of the developing spermatheca. We also provide evidence that NHR-6 and JUN-1 can physically interact in a yeast two-hybrid assay. Our results provide in vivo evidence that NR4A nuclear receptor and Jun transcription factor interactions are essential in regulating developmental processes in metazoans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana, 71209.
authors.forename: Chris R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gissendanner
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cardin
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Dubose
authors.forename: Moustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Sayed
authors.forename: Jeremy S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Harmson
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Praslicka
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Rowan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D006066:Gonads / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D038081:Organogenesis; D034622:RNA Interference; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C000591675:JUN-1 protein, C elegans; C526782:Nhr-6 protein, C elegans; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: NR4A; RNAi interaction screen; modifier