| Research Abstract |
We determined the relationship between stresses by infection and MAPK cascades in nematode. As a result, we showed that a p38 MAPK cascade, consisting of NSY-1, SEK-1 and PMK-1, has an important role in innate immunity against infectious bacteria, such as Pseudomonas. We also found that VHP-1, a MAPK phosphatase, negatively regulates this cascade.
Relationships between oxidative stresses and MAPK cascades in nematodes were determined. As a result, we found that a MAPK cascade, consisting of SEK-1 and PMK-1, is activated in intestine by the oxidative stresses. In addition, we showed that the activated SEK-1-PMK-1 MAPK cascade confers resistance of oxidative stress in whole organism by inducing transcription of GCS-1, a nematode homolog of glutathione synthesis enzyme, via a transcription factor SKN-1.
We determined the relationship between responses against heavy metal stresses and MAPK cascades in nematode. As a result, we found that a JNK MAPK cascade, consisting of MLK-1, MEK-1 and KGB-1, is required for resistance against heavy metal stresses, and VHP-1 functions as a negative regulator of this cascade. In addition, we genetically showed that a p38 MAPK cascade, consisting of SEK-1 and PMK-1, weakly contributes to the resistance and is negatively regulated by VHP-1.
We showed that UNC-16, a nematode homolog of JIP3 and a scaffold protein of JNK, associates with kinesin and regulates localization of synaptic vesicles by transporting UNC-14, an autophagy regulator protein, to the appropriate positions.
|
