C. elegans electrotaxis behavior is modulated by heat shock response and unfolded protein response signaling pathways

Abstract

The nematode C. elegans is a leading model to investigate the mechanisms of stress-induced behavioral changes coupled with biochemical mechanisms. Our group has previously characterized C. elegans behavior using a microfluidic-based electrotaxis device, and showed that worms display directional motion in the presence of a mild electric field. In this study, we describe the effects of various forms of genetic and environmental stress on the electrotactic movement of animals. Using exposure to chemicals, such as paraquat and tunicamycin, as well as mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) unfolded protein response (UPR) mutants, we demonstrate that chronic stress causes abnormal movement. Additionally, we report that pqe-1 (human RNA exonuclease 1 homolog) is necessary for the maintenance of multiple stress response signaling and electrotaxis behavior of animals. Further, exposure of C. elegans to several environmental stress-inducing conditions revealed that while chronic heat and dietary restriction caused electrotaxis speed deficits due to prolonged stress, daily exercise had a beneficial effect on the animals, likely due to improved muscle health and transient activation of UPR. Overall, these data demonstrate that the electrotaxis behavior of worms is susceptible to cytosolic, mitochondrial, and ER stress, and that multiple stress response pathways contribute to its preservation in the face of stressful stimuli.

The FGFR4 Homolog KIN-9 Regulates Lifespan and Stress Responses in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…We found that kin-9 mutants affected the ER-UPR pathway, as evidenced by the reduced expression of ire-1 , pek-1 , xbp-1 , and the chaperone hsp-4 ( Figures 2H,I ). Consistent with these results, the mutants exhibited electrotaxis defects associated with chronic stress ( Figure 2J ) ( Taylor et al, 2021 ). No change in the expression of mitochondrial UPR components was detected in the absence of kin-9 function ( Figures 2H,I ).…”

picd-1, a gene that encodes CABIN1 domain-containing protein, interacts with pry-1/Axin to regulate multiple processes in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…picd-1 mutants showed increased expression of two of these, hsp-4 and hsp-16.2, and the oxidative stress response gene sod-3 (Figure 8B). Consistent with these results, both pry-1 and picd-1 mutants show electrotaxis defects (Figure 8C), a phenotype observed in animals due to abnormalities in UPR signaling 18 .…”

Experimental temperatures shape host microbiome diversity and composition

“…Climate change has led to an increase in extreme thermal events, from heat waves to cold snaps, causing population decline and local extinction of animals and plants (Maxwell et al, 2019 ). Extreme heat and cold have consequences across all levels of biology, including physiology (Beker et al, 2018 ; Guschina & Harwood, 2006 ), behaviour (Sformo et al, 2009 ; Taylor et al, 2021 ), reproduction (Hansen, 2009 ; Xu et al, 2018 ), and evolution (Chakravarti & van Oppen, 2018 ; Mesas et al, 2021 ; Sinclair et al, 2003 ). Moreover, an organism's response to temperature can depend on their thermal tolerance limits, which is quantified by the upper and lower temperatures at which they cannot function (Chown et al, 2010 ; Hoffmann et al, 2003 ; Huey et al, 2012 ).…”