Identification of a conserved, orphan G-protein coupled receptor required for efficient pathogen clearance in C. elegans

Anderson, Alexandra; Chew, Yee Lian; Schafer, William and Mcmullan, Rachel (2019). Identification of a conserved, orphan G-protein coupled receptor required for efficient pathogen clearance in C. elegans. Infection and immunity, 87(4)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00034-19

Abstract

G-protein coupled receptors contribute to host defense across the animal kingdom, transducing many signals involved in both vertebrate and invertebrate immune responses. Whilst it has become well established that the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans triggers innate immune responses following infection with numerous bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, the mechanisms by which C. elegans recognises these pathogens have remained somewhat more elusive. C. elegans G-protein coupled receptors have been implicated in recognising pathogen-associated damage and activating downstream host immune responses. Here we identify and characterise a novel G-protein coupled receptor required to regulate the C. elegans response to infection with Microbacterium nematophilum. We show that this receptor, which we designate PCDR-1, is required for efficient pathogen clearance following infection. PCDR-1 acts upstream of multiple G-proteins including the C. elegans Gαq ortholog EGL-30 in rectal epithelial cells to promote pathogen clearance via a novel mechanism.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 58675
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 1098-5522
• Project Funding Details

• Funded Project Name	Project ID	Funding Body
  Genetic analysis of post-developmental Rho GTPase signaling: identification and characterization of Rho signaling pathways required during the C. elegans immune response. (Transfer In)	088409/B/09/Z	Wellcome Trust
  Wellcome Trust career development fellowship	WT088409AIA	Wellcome Trust
  Not Set	MC-A023-5PB91	Medical Research Council
  EMBO long-term fellowship	ALTF 403-2016	EMBO
  NIH Office of Research Infrastructure Programs	P40 OD010440	National Institute of Health

• Keywords
• Caenorhabditis elegans; pathogen clearance; G-protein coupled receptor; Microbacterium nematophilum
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Research Group
• Neuroscience Research Group
• Copyright Holders
• © 2019 American Society for Microbiology
• Depositing User
• Rachel McMullan