title: A redox signalling globin is essential for reproduction in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: Moderate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized as redox signalling molecules. However, thus far, only mitochondria and NADPH oxidases have been identified as cellular sources of ROS in signalling. Here we identify a globin (GLB-12) that produces superoxide, a type of ROS, which serves as an essential signal for reproduction in C. elegans. We find that GLB-12 has an important role in the regulation of multiple aspects in germline development, including germ cell apoptosis. We further describe how GLB-12 displays specific molecular, biochemical and structural properties that allow this globin to act as a superoxide generator. In addition, both an intra- and extracellular superoxide dismutase act as key partners of GLB-12 to create a transmembrane redox signal. Our results show that a globin can function as a driving factor in redox signalling, and how this signal is regulated at the subcellular level by multiple control layers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sasha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Henau
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tilleman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vangheel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Evi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luyckx
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stanislav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trashin
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Martje
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Germani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vlaeminck
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jacques R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Vanfleteren
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bert
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Genova, Genova I-16146, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pesce
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano I-20133, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nardini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano I-20133, Italy.|CNR-IBF and CIMAINA, University of Milano, Milano I-20133, Italy.
authors.forename: Martino
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9253-5170
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolognesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karolien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Wael
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moens
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp B-2000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dewilde
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Braeckman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005914:Globins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012098:Reproduction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C000608620:GLB-12 protein, C elegans; D013481:Superoxides; D005914:Globins