Nutrient Flux and Development

我们正在利用秀丽隐杆线虫和其他模型系统来研究保守的营养信号通路。这包括与约翰汉诺威实验室（NIH）在O-GlcNAc翻译后修饰及其对营养传感和发育的影响方面的长期合作。在过去的一年里，这项工作集中在一个早期的观察上，即编码这种修饰酶的基因ogt-1的零等位基因在交配时降低了生育能力。在后续研究中，这似乎是男性的缺陷，我们目前正在探索受影响的途径和组织类型，以更好地了解生物学。

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.