Functional elucidation of the cholecystokinin signaling system in nematodes.

As in all living organisms, survival in nematodes requires adequate management of energy supplies. Our lab has recently identified a neuropeptide signaling system in C. elegans that constitutes not only the structural, but also the functional homologue of the CCK/gastrin signaling system of mammals and the sulfakinin signaling system of arthropods. Recent developments show that this well conserved signaling system might play an important role in maintaining energy homeostasis, dauer induction and reproduction in nematodes. In this project we will try to unravel the key components that make up this cholecystokinin/gastrin signaling system in C. elegans and two species of parasitic nematodes and determine their function in nematode biology. To do this, we will use microarray and qRT-PCR analysis, reporter fusion constructs and functional assays with emphasis on dauer entry, feeding behavior, digestion, locomotion and reproduction.

Keywords:Nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, Cholecystokinin, GPCR, Feeding

Disciplines:Animal biology, General biology