Objective To investigate whether genes required for synaptogenesis and synaptic function are also involved in fat storage control in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Fat storage was examined in mutants of genes affecting the synaptogenesis and synaptic function. In addition, the genetic interactions of SNAREs syntaxin/unc-64 and SNAP-25/ric-4 with daf-2, daf-7, nhr-49, sbp-1 and mdt-15 in regulating fat storage were further investigated. The tissue-specific activities of unc-64 and ric-4 were investigated to study the roles of unc-64 and ric-4 in regulating fat storage in the nervous system and/or the intestine. Results Mutations of genes required for the formation of presynaptic neurotransmission site did not obviously influence fat storage. However, among the genes required for synaptic function, the plasma membrane-associated SNAREs syntaxin/unc-64 and SNAP-25/ric-4 genes were involved in the fat storage control. Fat storage in the intestinal cells was dramatically increased in unc-64 and ric-4 mutants as revealed by Sudan Black and Nile Red strainings, although the fat droplet size was not significantly changed. Moreover, in both the nervous system and the intestine, expression of unc-64 significantly inhibited the increase in fat storage observed in unc-64 mutant. And expression of ric-4 in the nervous system completely restored fat storage in ric-4 mutant. Genetic interaction assay further indicated that both unc-64 and ric-4 regulated fat storage independently of daf-2 [encoding an insulin-like growth factor-I （IGF-I） receptor], daf-7 [encoding a transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） ligand], and nhr-49 （encoding a nuclear hormone receptor）. Besides, mutation of daf-16 did not obviously affect the phenotype of increased fat storage in unc-64 or ric-4 mutant. Furthermore, unc-64 and ric-4 regulated fat storage probably through the ARC105/mdt-15- and SREBP/sbp-1-mediated signaling pathways. In addition, fat storage in unc-64; ric-4 was higher than that in either unc-64 or ric-4 single mutant nema
Objective To investigate the role of environmental factor—temperature in the regulation of aging process by unc-13 and sbt-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods The lifespan, the speed of pharynx pumping, and the intestinal autofluorescence of unc-13 and sbt-1 mutants were examined at different temperature conditions. In addition, to exclude the possible influences from other factors in unc-13 and sbt-1 mutants, the dauer formation, the thermotaxis, the brood size and the population percentage of the mutants expressing hsp16.2-gfp were further investigated. Results Mutations of unc-13 and sbt-1 significantly increased the mean and the maximum lifespans of nematodes cultured at 20 oC and 25 oC, while no noticeable increase was found at 15 oC in either the mean or the maximum lifespan. Investigations on the speed of pharynx pumping and the intestinal autofluorescence suggested that at 20 oC and 25 oC, mutations of unc-13 and sbt-1 could slow the aging process and delay the accumulation of aging-related cellular damage. Meanwhile, mutations of unc-13 or sbt-1 did not affect the dauer formation or the thermotaxis to different temperatures in nematodes. In contrast, at 20 oC and 25 oC conditions, mutations of unc-13 and sbt-1 significantly decreased the brood size and the percentage of nematodes expressing hsp16.2-gfp, while no such differences were detected at 15 oC. Moreover, the thermotolerance of unc-13 and sbt-1 mutants could be greatly strengthened after the 16-h heat shock at 35 oC. Conclusion The regulation of aging by unc-13 and sbt-1 is temperature-dependent. And the alterations in reproduction capability and stress response may be associated with the formation of this temperature-dependent property.
