Nutrient Flux and Development

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We are exploiting the utility of C. elegans and other model systems in studying conserved nutrient signalling pathways. This includes a long-standing collaboration with John Hanover's Lab (NIH) on the O-GlcNAc post-translational modification and its implications for nutrient sensing and development. This past year has seen this work focus on an early observation that null alleles of the gene encoding the enzyme responsible for this modification, ogt-1, has reduced fertility when mated. In follow-up studies, this appears to be a defect in males and we are currently exploring the affected pathways and tissue-types to better understand the biology. In collaboration with Iqbal Hamza's group (Univ of Maryland), we have continued to study how heme levels are sensed and regulated in animals using model systems that provides unique advantages. Previously, we demonstrated that intestinal HRG-7 functions as a secreted signaling factor during heme starvation in extra-intestinal tissues and is regulated through a DBL-1, homologous to BMP5, dependent signal from neurons. This past year has focused on better understanding this signaling system and its regulators, including identifying novel components and their mode of action.