Insights into the functions of the death associated protein kinases from C. elegans and other invertebrates
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Published on: November 27, 2016
Marian Chuang1, Andrew D Chisholm
1Cell and Developmental Biology Section, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
Abstract:
The death associated protein kinases (DAPK) are a phylogenetically widespread family of calcium-regulated serine/threonine kinases, initially identified from their roles in apoptosis. Subsequent studies, principally in vertebrate cells or models, have elucidated the functions of the DAPK family in autophagy and tumor suppression. Invertebrate genetic model organisms such as Drosophila and C. elegans have revealed additional functions for DAPK and related kinases. In the nematode C. elegans, the sole DAPK family member DAPK-1 positively regulates starvation-induced autophagy. Genetic analysis in C. elegans has revealed that DAPK-1 also acts as a negative regulator of epithelial innate immune responses in the epidermis. This negative regulatory role for DAPK in innate immunity may be analogous to the roles of mammalian DAPK in inflammatory responses.
Insights
Death-associated protein kinases (DAPK) regulate autophagy and immunity. In C. elegans, DAPK-1 negatively controls epidermal innate immunity, suggesting conserved roles in inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Cell biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Death-associated protein kinases (DAPK) are calcium-regulated serine/threonine kinases involved in apoptosis, autophagy, and tumor suppression.
- Previous research primarily focused on DAPK functions in vertebrate systems.
- Invertebrate models offer insights into conserved DAPK functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of DAPK-1 in innate immunity in the nematode C. elegans.
- To explore the functions of DAPK family members in invertebrate models.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis in C. elegans.
- Functional studies of DAPK-1 in epidermal innate immune responses.
Main Results:
- DAPK-1 positively regulates starvation-induced autophagy in C. elegans.
- Genetic analysis revealed DAPK-1 acts as a negative regulator of epithelial innate immunity in the epidermis.
- This suggests a conserved role for DAPK in innate immunity and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- DAPK-1 plays a crucial role in regulating innate immune responses in C. elegans epidermis.
- The findings highlight potential conserved functions of DAPK family members in innate immunity across species.
- This research contributes to understanding the interplay between autophagy and immunity.
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