The RHO-1 RhoGTPase modulates fertility and multiple behaviors in adult C. elegans

PLoS One. 2011 Feb 28;6(2):e17265. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017265.

Abstract

The Rho family of small GTPases are essential during early embryonic development making it difficult to study their functions in adult animals. Using inducible transgenes expressing either a constitutively active version of the single C. elegans Rho ortholog, RHO-1, or an inhibitor of endogenous Rho (C3 transferase), we demonstrate multiple defects caused by altering Rho signaling in adult C. elegans. Changes in RHO-1 signaling in cholinergic neurons affected locomotion, pharyngeal pumping and fecundity. Changes in RHO-1 signaling outside the cholinergic neurons resulted in defective defecation, ovulation, and changes in C. elegans body morphology. Finally both increased and decreased RHO-1 signaling in adults resulted in death within hours. The multiple post-developmental roles for Rho in C. elegans demonstrate that RhoA signaling pathways continue to be used post-developmentally and the resulting phenotypes provide an opportunity to further study post-developmental Rho signaling pathways using genetic screens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / metabolism
  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / physiology
  • Fertility / genetics*
  • Fertility / physiology
  • Gagging / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Heat-Shock Response / genetics
  • Heat-Shock Response / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / physiology*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • RHO-1 protein, C elegans
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein