Identification of hormones regulating the C. elegans molting cycle

• Applicant: Dr. Axel Bethke
• Subject Area: Developmental Biology
• Term: from 2010 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 177173228

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model organism for biological research that contributed to many major discoveries. C. elegans develops from egg to adult through four larval stages separated by four molts. Execution of the molting programs requires regulatory cascades controlling many genes and functions, such as synthesis of cuticle components, their excretion and shedding of the old cuticle. Most of the regulatory components are unknown, but previous research suggests cholesterol-derived molting hormones of yet unknown identity play key roles. To identify these molting hormones, we will fractionate C. elegans metabolite extracts and follow the activity of these molting hormones by in vitro luciferase assays and in vivo GFP reporter analysis of molting-regulated genes. Novel methods for the NMR-spectroscopic analysis of metabolite mixtures will allow structure identification of active metabolites acting as molting hormones already at an early stage of the fractionation. Knowledge of the structure and subsequent synthesis of these hormones will greatly facilitate investigation of hormonal control of molting in C. elegans and will act as a model for complex, synchronized developmental programs in general.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Frank Clemens Schröder