| Caenorhabditis elegans optionally enter into a dauer diapause phase that results in a prolonged life in a semi-dormant state. Entry into and recovery from dauer diapause includes many physical changes in body structure, physiology, and gene expression. Entry into dauer diapause is regulated by several signaling pathways including transforming growth factor (TGF-beta). Autophagy plays an important role in dauer formation and recover. During dauer transformation autophagy is up-regulated and may play a role in remodeling the molecular structure for long term survival during dauer diapause. This research helps determine the role of autophagy in dauer development and recovery mediated through the TGF-beta signaling pathway. This research also determines in which tissue autophagy is necessary for dauer formation and recovery through TGF-beta v signaling. This research is shedding light on the function of autophagy in the TGF-beta signaling pathway, both processes of which have been linked to tumorigenesis, heart disease and cancer. |
