Mutations of nhr-49 affect C. elegans susceptibility to Yersinia biofilms

TL;DR

This study shows that mutations in the NHR-49 gene in C. elegans affect the worm's susceptibility to Yersinia biofilms.

Contribution

The paper identifies that the gene bah-3 is an allele of nhr-49 and explores how different mutations in nhr-49 influence biofilm susceptibility.

Findings

The gene bah-3 (dc9) is an ochre nonsense allele of nhr-49.

Severe mutations in nhr-49 produce a Bah phenotype related to biofilm attachment.

5' deletions and 3' missense mutations in nhr-49 do not affect biofilm attachment.

Abstract

The

C. elegans

transcription factor
NHR-49
has been extensively studied for its functions in regulating metabolic processes, stress responses, innate immunity and aging. Molecular identification of a gene previously known as

bah-3

, which affects susceptibility of worms to deleterious surface attachment of bacterial biofilms from
Yersinia spp.,
revealed that

bah-3
(
dc9
)

is an ochre nonsense allele of

nhr-49

. Other severe mutations of

nhr-49

also had a Bah phenotype, but deletions affecting 5' isoforms of the gene did not affect biofilm attachment, nor did 3' gain-of-function missense mutations. Other
bah
genes (

bah-1
,
bah-2
, bah-4

) encode GT92 glycosylation factors, predicted to affect surface coat.
NHR-49
may act as a positive transcription factor for one or more of these surface glycosylation genes, in contrast to its other roles in regulating metabolic processes.

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