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Nuclear hormone receptors in nematodes: evolution and function.
- Source :
-
Molecular and cellular endocrinology [Mol Cell Endocrinol] 2011 Mar 01; Vol. 334 (1-2), pp. 49-55. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 May 10. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) are proteins that regulate gene expression in response to developmental, environmental, and nutritional signals. The activity of some NHRs is selectively and reversibly modulated by small molecular weight compounds. However, for others - termed "orphan" receptors - no such ligands have (yet) been identified, and at least some NHRs may lack natural ligands. NHRs exhibit a stereotyped architecture, with conserved N-terminal DNA-binding domains (DBDs) and more variable C-terminal ligand-binding domains (LBDs). NHRs control the transcription of remarkably diverse and specific gene networks, apparently by integrating multiple regulatory inputs that interact with distinct receptor surfaces; these inputs include small molecule ligands, transcriptional coregulators, and response elements, the genomic sites to which the receptors bind. NHRs comprise an ancient superfamily found in all metazoans, and recent findings have revealed NHR-like regulatory factors in fungi. Here, we consider NHR function and evolution in nematodes, roundworms that inhabit terrestrial, marine, and freshwater habitats; we focus in particular on the well-established experimental organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Interestingly, the C. elegans genome encodes a massively expanded NHR family; we speculate that some of the multiple physiological activities governed by individual mammalian NHRs may be distributed among multiple members of the C. elegans family, potentially focusing and simplifying functional analyses. Accordingly, investigations of relevant NHR cofactors, ligands, and response elements might also prove to be simpler; moreover, the abbreviated intergenic regions of the C. elegans genome will facilitate the assignment of response elements to target genes. Finally, the growing interest in medically relevant nematodes is providing novel insights into the function and evolution of NHRs.<br /> (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Biological Evolution
DNA metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation
Gene Regulatory Networks physiology
Ligands
Nematoda genetics
Nematoda metabolism
Protein Binding
Protein Structure, Tertiary
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear genetics
Response Elements genetics
Hormones metabolism
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1872-8057
- Volume :
- 334
- Issue :
- 1-2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Molecular and cellular endocrinology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20438802
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2010.04.021