The role of C-type lectin domain proteins in C. elegans immunity

• Applicant: Dr. Katja Dierking
• Subject Area: Evolutionary Cell and Developmental Biology (Zoology)
• Term: from 2011 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 201106783

The study of immune defenses in genetically tractable invertebrate model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster or Caenorhabditis elegans revealed that fundamental mechanisms of innate immunity are conserved between invertebrates and humans. This project employs the model nematode C. elegans to dissect the diversity of immune functions among the C-type lectin like domain (CTLD) containing proteins. The nematode possesses a surprisingly large number of 278 CTLD genes - relative to genome size more than found in humans. Although it has repeatedly been suggested that the C. elegans CTLD proteins contribute to nematode immunity, their exact function is currently unknown and still awaits a detailed, systematic analysis. In taking advantage of the genetic tools available for C. elegans, the specific objectives of the project are 1) to screen all C. elegans CTLD genes for their role in resistance to three different pathogens (a Gram-positive bacterium, a Gram-negative bacterium, and a fungus) using knock-out mutants and RNAi, and 2) to analyze the exact function of the thus identified CTLD candidate immunity genes based on various genetic manipulations (GFP reporter constructs, overexpression analysis) combined with phenotypic analyses using microscopic and molecular tools. As such this study is the first systematic analysis of the CTLD gene repertoire of an animal. We expect that the study of C. elegans CTLD proteins will enhance our understanding of the role of this specific group of proteins in immune defense.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants