Methylation of the sterol nucleus by STRM-1 regulates dauer larva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Dev Cell
; 16(6): 833-43, 2009 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19531354
In response to pheromone(s), Caenorhabditis elegans interrupts its reproductive life cycle and enters diapause as a stress-resistant dauer larva. This decision is governed by a complex system of neuronal and hormonal regulation. All the signals converge onto the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12. A sterol-derived hormone, dafachronic acid (DA), supports reproductive development by binding to DAF-12 and inhibiting its dauer-promoting activity. Here, we identify a methyltransferase, STRM-1, that modulates DA levels and thus dauer formation. By modifying the substrates that are used for the synthesis of DA, STRM-1 can reduce the amount of hormone produced. Loss of STRM-1 function leads to elevated levels of DA and inefficient dauer formation. Sterol methylation was not previously recognized as a mechanism for regulating hormone activity. Moreover, the C-4 sterol nucleus methylation catalyzed by STRM-1 is unique to nematodes and thus could be a target for therapeutic strategies against parasitic nematode infections.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Esteroles
/
Caenorhabditis elegans
/
Proteínas de Caenorhabditis elegans
/
Metiltransferasas
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Dev Cell
Asunto de la revista:
EMBRIOLOGIA
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos