The Mediator subunit MDT-15 confers metabolic adaptation to ingested material

PLoS Genet. 2008 Feb 29;4(2):e1000021. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000021.

Abstract

In eukaryotes, RNA polymerase II (Pol(II)) dependent gene expression requires accessory factors termed transcriptional coregulators. One coregulator that universally contributes to Pol(II)-dependent transcription is the Mediator, a multisubunit complex that is targeted by many transcriptional regulatory factors. For example, the Caenorhabditis elegans Mediator subunit MDT-15 confers the regulatory actions of the sterol response element binding protein SBP-1 and the nuclear hormone receptor NHR-49 on fatty acid metabolism. Here, we demonstrate that MDT-15 displays a broader spectrum of activities, and that it integrates metabolic responses to materials ingested by C. elegans. Depletion of MDT-15 protein or mutation of the mdt-15 gene abrogated induction of specific detoxification genes in response to certain xenobiotics or heavy metals, rendering these animals hypersensitive to toxin exposure. Intriguingly, MDT-15 appeared to selectively affect stress responses related to ingestion, as MDT-15 functional defects did not abrogate other stress responses, e.g., thermotolerance. Together with our previous finding that MDT-15:NHR-49 regulatory complexes coordinate a sector of the fasting response, we propose a model whereby MDT-15 integrates several transcriptional regulatory pathways to monitor both the availability and quality of ingested materials, including nutrients and xenobiotic compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / drug effects
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / chemistry
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Food
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genes, Helminth
  • Heat-Shock Response / genetics
  • Heat-Shock Response / physiology
  • Inactivation, Metabolic
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism
  • Metals, Heavy / toxicity
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Protein Subunits
  • RNA Interference
  • Trans-Activators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Trans-Activators / chemistry
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Xenobiotics / metabolism
  • Xenobiotics / toxicity

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Protein Subunits
  • Trans-Activators
  • Xenobiotics