Analysis of nmgp-1 Function in C. elegans

FERNÁNDEZ, ELIANA MAILÉN; CUTRARO, YAMILA B; MONTELEONE, MELISA C; ALBERTO C. FRASCH; BROCCO MARCELA ADRIANA

Congreso; First Latin American Worm Meeting; 2017

Proteolipidic protein (PLP) family constitutes the myelin‐related proteins, which are widely presentin many species. This group includes the mammalian glycoprotein GPM6A. GPM6A is expressed inthe central nervous system and participates in neuronal morphology such as neurite extension andfilopodium formation.NMGP-1 is the functional ortholog of GPM6A and the only member of the PLP family inCaenorhabditis elegans. Although GPM6A interaction partners are unknown, there are severalcandidates, such as CORO1A, PAK-1, and MEF-2. To examine these possible interactions wedeveloped a series of genetic tools such as a new strain neuronally sensitive to RNA interference(RNAi) with a deletion in the nmgp-1 gene.We examined the role of NMGP-1 in C. elegans neurons. For this, we performed RNAi in strainswith neuron specific RNAi sensitivity to interfere nmgp-1 only in these cells. Interfering nmgp-1 inneurons diminishes egg laying, delays recovery time from resistant stress dauer state andincreases lifespan.We investigated the NGMP-1 role in amphid sensory neurons morphology. These neurons allowthe worm to sense environmental stimuli and regulate dauer state. To investigate possiblealterations in the morphology of amphid neurons due to nmgp-1 deletion, we created a new strainexpressing GFP in the amphid neurons ASJ and containing a deletion in the nmgp-1 gene.Altogether, the genetics tools and the phenotypes observed will help us to study the role ofNMGP-1 at the level of whole organism and clarify cell signaling pathways in which NMGP-1participates.