PAQR-2 Regulates Fatty Acid Desaturation during Cold Adaptation in C. elegans

• C. elegans PAQR-2 is homologous to the insulin-sensitizing adiponectin receptors in mammals, and essential for adaptation to growth at 15 degrees C, a low but usually acceptable temperature for this organism. By screening for novel paqr-2 suppressors, we identified mutations in genes involved in phosphatidylcholine synthesis (cept-1, pcyt-1 and sams-1) and fatty acid metabolism (ech-7, hacd-1, mdt-15, nhr-49 and sbp-1). We then show genetic evidence that paqr-2, phosphatidylcholines, sbp-1 and Delta 9-desaturases form a cold adaptation pathway that regulates the increase in unsaturated fatty acids necessary to retain membrane fluidity at low temperatures. This model is supported by the observations that the paqr-2 suppressors normalize the levels of saturated fatty acids, and that low concentrations of detergents that increase membrane fluidity can rescue the paqr-2 mutant.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS

DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

BIOLOGICAL-MEMBRANES

MASS-SPECTROMETRY

ADIPONECTIN

TOLERANCE

IDENTIFICATION

TEMPERATURE

MECHANISMS

HYPOTHESIS

LCH J

1957

JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

V226

P497

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)