The Effects Of Collagen Genes Col-131, Col-150, Col-121 And Dpy-5 On Fertility And Development Of Caenorhabditis Elegans

Objective:To analyze genes expression when Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was treated by 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu). To observe the fertility, lifespan, and phenotypes of specific gene expressing silence worms by RNAi method. To identify the function of collagen genes family in the process of C. elegans reproduction. And to discuss the mechanism of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in C. elegans.Methods:Significantly up-regulated or down-regulated genes of C. elegans when treated by 5-Fu were screened through Digital Gene Expression Profiling (DGE) method. We further used RNAi-mediated gene knocking down method to examine their phenotypes, the fertility, and lifespan. Then we analyzed their function for C. elegans’s reproduction and their significant roles on related pathways.Results:1. Through DGE method, we investigated that col-131, col-150 and dpy-5 genes were significantly up-regulated and col-121 gene was significantly down-regulated, col-131, col-150 and dpy-5 genes belong to ECM-receptor interaction and Focal adhesion pathway, col-121 gene belongs to Focal adhesion pathway.2. col-131, col-150, col-121 and dpy-5 genes (RNAi) worms were gotten by feeding constructed bacteria. Compared with control group, col-131, col-150, col-121 and dpy-5 genes of RNAi worms were significantly down-regulated.3. dpy-5 (RNAi) worms were short-body, dumpy, and displayed a serious defect in fertility. col-121 (RNAi) worms were slender, long, and slightly altered in body development, col-121 (RNAi) worms also displayed an abnormal nuclear morphology, col-150 (RNAi) worms existed defect in fertility and decreased survival with days.4. Knocking down col-131 had subtle effect in C. elegans fertility; however, col-131 (RNAi) worms could rescue 5-Fu toxic effect on fertility and lifespan defect, col-131 (RNAi) worms could produce offspring while the control worms could not. When col-131 gene was knocked down, col-150, col-121 and dpy-5 genes’ expression were significantly decreased.Conclusion:Taken together, our results reveal the essential role for col-150, col-121 and dpy-5 in C. elegans fertility decline. Our data also suggest that col-131 may be an essential gene in ECM-receptor interaction pathway and regulate other collagen genes including col-150, col-121 and dpy-5.