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mir-67 regulates P. aeruginosa avoidance behavior in C. elegans
Yi-Cheng Ma1, Lu Zhang1, Li-Li Dai1
1State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 21, 2017
Summary
The nematode C. elegans uses the microRNA mir-67 to avoid the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This microRNA targets SAX-7, a cell adhesion molecule, influencing avoidance behavior and host-microbe interactions.
Area of Science:
- Nematode biology
- Molecular genetics
- Behavioral neuroscience
Background:
- Pathogen avoidance is crucial for animal survival.
- C. elegans, a soil nematode, encounters pathogenic bacteria.
- The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in C. elegans pathogen avoidance is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miRNAs in C. elegans pathogen avoidance behavior.
- To identify specific miRNAs and their targets involved in responding to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Main Methods:
- Studied the nematode C. elegans and its behavioral response to P. aeruginosa PA14.
- Analyzed the expression of the miRNA mir-67 upon pathogen exposure.
- Utilized quantitative proteomic analysis and miRNA target prediction algorithms.
- Employed RNA interference (RNAi) to silence the sax-7 gene.
Main Results:
- Exposure to P. aeruginosa PA14 induced mir-67 expression in C. elegans.
- mir-67 mutants showed impaired avoidance of P. aeruginosa PA14.
- SAX-7, a cell adhesion molecule, was identified as a target of mir-67.
- Silencing sax-7 in mir-67 mutants restored pathogen avoidance behavior.
Conclusions:
- The mir-67-SAX-7 pathway regulates behavioral avoidance of pathogens in C. elegans.
- This pathway provides new insights into miRNA function in host-microbe interactions.
