Egg-laying

Author: Schafer, William R. Description: C. elegans hermaphrodites are self-fertile, and their rate and temporal pattern of egg-laying are modulated by diverse environmental cues. Egg-laying behavior has served as an important phenotypic assay for the genetic dissection of neuronal signal transduction mechanisms. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the neuronal and neurochemical mechanisms underlying the control of egg-laying in C. elegans. The roles of specific neurons in the egg-laying motor circuit, which release multiple neurotransmitters affecting distinct parameters of egg-laying muscle activity, and the possible mechanisms for sensory control…

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The laboratory domestication of Caenorhabditis elegans

Author: Sterken, M.G.; Snoek, L.B.; Kammenga, J.E.; Andersen, E.C. Description: Model organisms are of great importance to our understanding of basic biology and to making advances in biomedical research. However, the influence of laboratory cultivation on these organisms is underappreciated, and especially how that environment can affect research outcomes. Recent experiments led to insights into how the widely used laboratory reference strain of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans compares with natural strains. Here we describe potential selective pressures that led to the fixation of laboratory-derived alleles for the genes npr-1, glb-5,…

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C. elegans II, 2nd edition

Author: Riddle, D.L.; Blumenthal, T.; Meyer, B.J.; Priess, J.R. Description: Why should one study a worm? This simple creature is one of several “model” organisms that together have provided tremendous insight into how all organisms are put together. It has become increasingly clear over the past two decades that knowledge from one organism, even one so simple as a worm, can provide tremendous power when connected with knowledge from other organisms. And because of the experimental accessibility of nematodes, knowledge about worms can come more quickly and cheaply than knowledge…

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Glucose restriction extends Caenorhabditis elegans life span by inducing mitochondrial respiration and increasing oxidative stress

Author: Schulz, Tim J.; Zarse, Kim; Voigt, Anja; Urban, Nadine; Birringer, Marc; Ristow, Michael Description: Increasing cellular glucose uptake is a fundamental concept in treatment of type 2 diabetes, whereas nutritive calorie restriction increases life expectancy. We show here that increased glucose availability decreases Caenorhabditis elegans life span, while impaired glucose metabolism extends life expectancy by inducing mitochondrial respiration. The histone deacetylase Sir2.1 is found here to be dispensable for this phenotype, whereas disruption of aak-2, a homolog of AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK), abolishes extension of life span due to impaired…

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Male mating behavior

Author: Barr, M. M., Garcia, L. R. Description: Caenorhabditis elegans male mating provides an excellent opportunity to determine how sensory perception regulates behavior and motor programs. The male-specific nervous system and muscles are superimposed over the general nervous system and musculature. Genetic screens and genomic approaches have identified male-specific and male-enriched genes as well as non-sex specific molecules specialized for mating sub-behaviors. In this chapter, we discuss the cellular, genetic, and molecular basis for male mating behavior. Subject headings: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans/anatomy & histology; Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology; Ejaculation; Female; Male; Sex…

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