Molecular characterization of numr-1 and numr-2: genes that increase both resistance to metal-induced stress and lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans
dc.contributor.author | Tvermoes, Brooke E | |
dc.contributor.author | Boyd, Windy A | |
dc.contributor.author | Freedman, Jonathan H | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2011-06-21T17:27:35Z | |
dc.date.available | 2011-06-21T17:27:35Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
dc.description.abstract | To define the mechanisms involved in the molecular response to the carcinogenic metal cadmium, two novel metal-inducible genes from C. elegans were characterized: numr-1 and numr-2 (nuclear localized metal responsive). numr-1 and numr-2 sequences and cellular patterns of expression are identical, indicating that these are functionally equivalent genes. Constitutive transcription of numr-1 and numr-2 is developmentally regulated and occurs in the intestine, in head and tail neurons, and vulva muscles. Exposure to metals induces numr-1 and numr-2 transcription in pharyngeal and intestinal cells. Other environmental stressors do not affect transcription, indicating that these are metal-specific, stress-responsive genes. NUMR-1 and NUMR-2 target to nuclei and colocalize with HSF-1, suggesting that they may be components of nuclear stress granules. Nematodes overexpressing NUMR-1 and NUMR-2 are resistant to stress and live longer than control animals; likewise reducing expression increases sensitivity to metals and decreases neuromuscular functions. Upstream regulatory regions of both genes contain potential binding sites for DAF-16 and SKN-1, which are components of the insulin-IGF-like signaling pathway. This pathway regulates longevity and stress responses in C. elegans. NUMR-1 and NUMR-2 may function to promote resistance to environmental stressors and longevity, which is mediated by the insulin-IGF-like signaling pathway. | |
dc.description.version | Version of Record | |
dc.identifier.citation | Tvermoes,Brooke E.;Boyd,Windy A.;Freedman,Jonathan H.. 2010. Molecular characterization of numr-1 and numr-2: genes that increase both resistance to metal-induced stress and lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of cell science 123(12): 2123-2133. | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0021-9533 | |
dc.identifier.uri | ||
dc.language.iso | en_US | |
dc.publisher | The Company of Biologists | |
dc.relation.isversionof | 10.1242/jcs.065433 | |
dc.relation.journal | Journal of cell science | |
dc.subject | c. elegans | |
dc.subject | cadmium | |
dc.subject | stress response | |
dc.subject | lifespan | |
dc.subject | longevity | |
dc.subject | shock transcription factor-1 | |
dc.subject | unfolded protein response | |
dc.subject | cell-specific | |
dc.subject | expression | |
dc.subject | c-elegans | |
dc.subject | cadmium toxicity | |
dc.subject | oxidative stress | |
dc.subject | heavy-metal | |
dc.subject | metallothionein genes | |
dc.subject | regulatory elements | |
dc.subject | signaling pathways | |
dc.subject | cell biology | |
dc.title | Molecular characterization of numr-1 and numr-2: genes that increase both resistance to metal-induced stress and lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans | |
dc.title.alternative | ||
dc.type | Other article | |
duke.date.pubdate | 2010-6-15 | |
duke.description.issue | 12 | |
duke.description.volume | 123 | |
pubs.begin-page | 2123 | |
pubs.end-page | 2133 |