Oogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
- Davis, Gregory, Hipwell, Hayleigh, Boag, Peter
- Authors: Davis, Gregory , Hipwell, Hayleigh , Boag, Peter
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Sexual Development Vol. 17, no. 2-3 (2023), p. 73-83
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- Description: Background: The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans has proven itself as a valuable model for investigating metazoan biology. C. elegans have a transparent body, an invariant cell lineage, and a high level of genetic conservation which makes it a desirable model organism. Although used to elucidate many aspects of somatic biology, a distinct advantage of C. elegans is its well annotated germline which allows all aspects of oogenesis to be observed in real time within a single animal. C. elegans hermaphrodites have two U-shaped gonad arms which produce their own sperm that is later stored to fertilise their own oocytes. These two germlines take up much of the internal space of each animal and germ cells are therefore the most abundant cell present within each animal. This feature and the genetic phenotypes observed for mutant worm gonads have allowed many novel findings that established our early understanding of germ cell dynamics. The mutant phenotypes also allowed key features of meiosis and germ cell maturation to be unveiled. Summary: This review will focus on the key aspects that make C. elegans an outstanding model for exploring each feature of oogenesis. This will include the fundamental steps associated with germline function and germ cell maturation and will be of use for those interested in exploring reproductive metazoan biology. Key Messages: Since germ cell biology is highly conserved in animals, much can be gained from study of a simple metazoan like C. elegans. Past findings have enhanced understanding on topics that would be more laborious or challenging in more complex animal models. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.
- Authors: Davis, Gregory , Hipwell, Hayleigh , Boag, Peter
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Sexual Development Vol. 17, no. 2-3 (2023), p. 73-83
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans has proven itself as a valuable model for investigating metazoan biology. C. elegans have a transparent body, an invariant cell lineage, and a high level of genetic conservation which makes it a desirable model organism. Although used to elucidate many aspects of somatic biology, a distinct advantage of C. elegans is its well annotated germline which allows all aspects of oogenesis to be observed in real time within a single animal. C. elegans hermaphrodites have two U-shaped gonad arms which produce their own sperm that is later stored to fertilise their own oocytes. These two germlines take up much of the internal space of each animal and germ cells are therefore the most abundant cell present within each animal. This feature and the genetic phenotypes observed for mutant worm gonads have allowed many novel findings that established our early understanding of germ cell dynamics. The mutant phenotypes also allowed key features of meiosis and germ cell maturation to be unveiled. Summary: This review will focus on the key aspects that make C. elegans an outstanding model for exploring each feature of oogenesis. This will include the fundamental steps associated with germline function and germ cell maturation and will be of use for those interested in exploring reproductive metazoan biology. Key Messages: Since germ cell biology is highly conserved in animals, much can be gained from study of a simple metazoan like C. elegans. Past findings have enhanced understanding on topics that would be more laborious or challenging in more complex animal models. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.
Float like a butterfly : comparison between off and on-ice torso kinematics during the butterfly stance in ice hockey goalkeepers
- Evans, Stuart, Bini, Rodrigo, Davis, Gregory, Lee, James
- Authors: Evans, Stuart , Bini, Rodrigo , Davis, Gregory , Lee, James
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors Vol. 22, no. 19 (2022), p.
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- Description: In ice hockey, the butterfly style/stance is a technique distinguished by the goalkeepers (goalie) dropping to their knees to block attempts to score. Although this goalie style has been around for many years, comparisons between on and off-ice attire has not been undertaken. Therefore, this preliminary study compared differences in torso acceleration and energy expenditure by way of the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) during off-ice and on-ice butterfly stances/saves. Seven participants each performed 8 on-ice butterfly saves/stances whilst wearing full hockey attire followed by 8 off-ice butterfly stances without wearing full hockey attire whilst torso acceleration was collected. The off-ice movement significantly increased vertical torso acceleration (p < 0.01, d > 0.90) with increased MET, compared to on-ice motion. Despite no significant difference in anteroposterior and mediolateral torso kinematics, vector magnitudes were significantly greater (p < 0.01, d > 0.90) when the stance was performed off-ice. The increased vertical acceleration observed when goalies performed the movement off-ice could be due to a failure to maintain adequate posture without the support of the external load. The results of this study may help inform off-ice training interventions for ice hockey goalkeeping. © 2022 by the authors.
- Authors: Evans, Stuart , Bini, Rodrigo , Davis, Gregory , Lee, James
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sensors Vol. 22, no. 19 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In ice hockey, the butterfly style/stance is a technique distinguished by the goalkeepers (goalie) dropping to their knees to block attempts to score. Although this goalie style has been around for many years, comparisons between on and off-ice attire has not been undertaken. Therefore, this preliminary study compared differences in torso acceleration and energy expenditure by way of the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) during off-ice and on-ice butterfly stances/saves. Seven participants each performed 8 on-ice butterfly saves/stances whilst wearing full hockey attire followed by 8 off-ice butterfly stances without wearing full hockey attire whilst torso acceleration was collected. The off-ice movement significantly increased vertical torso acceleration (p < 0.01, d > 0.90) with increased MET, compared to on-ice motion. Despite no significant difference in anteroposterior and mediolateral torso kinematics, vector magnitudes were significantly greater (p < 0.01, d > 0.90) when the stance was performed off-ice. The increased vertical acceleration observed when goalies performed the movement off-ice could be due to a failure to maintain adequate posture without the support of the external load. The results of this study may help inform off-ice training interventions for ice hockey goalkeeping. © 2022 by the authors.
Stubborn exercise responders–where to next?
- Bell, Leo, Gabbett, Tim, Davis, Gregory, Wallen, Matthew, O’Brien, Brendan
- Authors: Bell, Leo , Gabbett, Tim , Davis, Gregory , Wallen, Matthew , O’Brien, Brendan
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Sports Vol. 10, no. 6 (2022), p.
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- Description: There is a wide variance in the magnitude of physiological adaptations after resistance or endurance training. The incidence of “non” or “poor” responders to training has been reported to represent as high as 40% of the project’s sample. However, the incidence of poor responders to training can be ameliorated with manipulation of either the training frequency, intensity, type and duration. Additionally, global non‐response to cardio‐respiratory fitness training is eliminated when evaluating several health measures beyond just the target variables as at least one or more measure improves. More research is required to determine if altering resistance training variables results in a more favourable response in individuals with an initial poor response to resistance training. Moreover, we recommend abandoning the term “poor” responders, as ultimately the magnitude of change in cardiorespiratory fitness in response to endurance training is similar in “poor” and “high” responders if the training frequency is subsequently increased. Therefore, we propose “stubborn” responders as a more appropriate term. Future research should focus on developing viable physiological and lifestyle screening tests that identify likely stubborn responders to conventional exercise training guidelines before the individual engages with training. Exerkines, DNA damage, metabolomic responses in blood, saliva and breath, gene sequence, gene expression and epigenetics are candidate biomarkers that warrant investigation into their relationship with traina-bility. Crucially, viable biomarker screening tests should show good construct validity to distinguish between different exercise loads, and possess excellent sensitivity and reliability. Furthermore “red flag” tests of likely poor responders to training should be practical to assess in clinical settings and be affordable and non‐invasive. Early identification of stubborn responders would enable op-timization of training programs from the onset of training to maintain exercise motivation and optimize the impact on training adaptations and health. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Bell, Leo , Gabbett, Tim , Davis, Gregory , Wallen, Matthew , O’Brien, Brendan
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Sports Vol. 10, no. 6 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: There is a wide variance in the magnitude of physiological adaptations after resistance or endurance training. The incidence of “non” or “poor” responders to training has been reported to represent as high as 40% of the project’s sample. However, the incidence of poor responders to training can be ameliorated with manipulation of either the training frequency, intensity, type and duration. Additionally, global non‐response to cardio‐respiratory fitness training is eliminated when evaluating several health measures beyond just the target variables as at least one or more measure improves. More research is required to determine if altering resistance training variables results in a more favourable response in individuals with an initial poor response to resistance training. Moreover, we recommend abandoning the term “poor” responders, as ultimately the magnitude of change in cardiorespiratory fitness in response to endurance training is similar in “poor” and “high” responders if the training frequency is subsequently increased. Therefore, we propose “stubborn” responders as a more appropriate term. Future research should focus on developing viable physiological and lifestyle screening tests that identify likely stubborn responders to conventional exercise training guidelines before the individual engages with training. Exerkines, DNA damage, metabolomic responses in blood, saliva and breath, gene sequence, gene expression and epigenetics are candidate biomarkers that warrant investigation into their relationship with traina-bility. Crucially, viable biomarker screening tests should show good construct validity to distinguish between different exercise loads, and possess excellent sensitivity and reliability. Furthermore “red flag” tests of likely poor responders to training should be practical to assess in clinical settings and be affordable and non‐invasive. Early identification of stubborn responders would enable op-timization of training programs from the onset of training to maintain exercise motivation and optimize the impact on training adaptations and health. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
GCNA interacts with spartan and topoisomerase II to regulate genome stability
- Dokshin, Gregoriy, Davis, Gregory, Sawle, Ashley, Eldridge, Matthew, Nicholls, Peter, Gourley, Taylin, Romer, Katherine, Molesworth, Luke, Tatnell, Hannah, Ozturk, Ahmet, de Rooij, Dirk, Hannon, Gregory, Page, David, Mello, Craig, Carmell, Michelle
- Authors: Dokshin, Gregoriy , Davis, Gregory , Sawle, Ashley , Eldridge, Matthew , Nicholls, Peter , Gourley, Taylin , Romer, Katherine , Molesworth, Luke , Tatnell, Hannah , Ozturk, Ahmet , de Rooij, Dirk , Hannon, Gregory , Page, David , Mello, Craig , Carmell, Michelle
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Developmental Cell Vol. 52, no. 1 (2020), p. 53-68.e6
- Full Text: false
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- Description: GCNA proteins are expressed across eukarya in pluripotent cells and have conserved functions in fertility. GCNA homologs Spartan (DVC-1) and Wss1 resolve DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs), including Topoisomerase-DNA adducts, during DNA replication. Here, we show that GCNA mutants in mouse and C. elegans display defects in genome maintenance including DNA damage, aberrant chromosome condensation, and crossover defects in mouse spermatocytes and spontaneous genomic rearrangements in C. elegans. We show that GCNA and topoisomerase II (TOP2) physically interact in both mice and worms and colocalize on condensed chromosomes during mitosis in C. elegans embryos. Moreover, C. elegans gcna-1 mutants are hypersensitive to TOP2 poison. Together, our findings support a model in which GCNA provides genome maintenance functions in the germline and may do so, in part, by promoting the resolution of TOP2 DPCs. DNA topoisomerases help unwind DNA but occasionally get trapped, resulting in DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs). DPCs damage DNA and threaten genomic integrity. Dokshin et al. find that GCNA protein family complements standard DPC processing machinery in resolving topoisomerase II DPCs to ensure heritable genome stability and germline immortality. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.
- Description: We thank S. Cheloufi, D. Bellott, D. Durning, L. Okumura, L. Teitz, and members of the Page and Mello labs for advice and discussion. We thank E. Spooner for mass spectrometry and K. Igarashi for technical assistance. We thank P. Boag and R. Pocock for access to microscopes and technical advice. Some strains provided by the CGC were supported by NIH ( P40 OD010440 ) and the International C. elegans Gene Knockout Consortium . This work was supported by the Life Sciences Research Foundation to M.A.C.; American Cancer Society 129916-PF16-232-RMC to G.A.D.; and NIH grants (R37 GM058800 and P01 HD078253 ) to C.C.M. G.J.H. is supported by Cancer Research UK and by a Royal Society Wolfson Research Professorship. D.C.P. and C.C.M. are Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators.
Zinc transporters maintain longevity by influencing insulin/IGF-1 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans
- Novakovic, Stevan, Molesworth, Luke, Gourley, Taylin, Boag, Peter, Davis, Gregory
- Authors: Novakovic, Stevan , Molesworth, Luke , Gourley, Taylin , Boag, Peter , Davis, Gregory
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: FEBS Letters Vol. 594, no. 9 (2020), p. 1424-1432
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- Description: Adequate dietary intake of essential metals such as zinc is important for maintaining homeostasis. Abnormal zinc intake in Caenorhabditis elegans has been shown to increase or decrease normal lifespan by influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. Distribution of zinc is achieved by a family of highly conserved zinc transport proteins (ZIPT in C. elegans). This study investigated the role of the zipt family of genes and showed that depletion of individual zipt genes results in a decreased lifespan. Moreover, zipt-16 and zipt-17 mutants synthetically interact with the insulin/IGF cofactors daf-16 and skn-1, and cause abnormal localisation of DAF-16. This study suggests that the zipt family of genes are required for maintaining normal lifespan through influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. © 2019 Federation of European Biochemical Societies
- Description: This study was supported by the resources at Federation University; no external funding was used to fund this study. We acknowledge the Caenorhabditis elegans Genetics Centre for the strains used in this study and Hannah Tatnell (Federation University) for technical assistance.
Zinc transporters maintain longevity by influencing insulin/IGF-1 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans
- Authors: Novakovic, Stevan , Molesworth, Luke , Gourley, Taylin , Boag, Peter , Davis, Gregory
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: FEBS Letters Vol. 594, no. 9 (2020), p. 1424-1432
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Adequate dietary intake of essential metals such as zinc is important for maintaining homeostasis. Abnormal zinc intake in Caenorhabditis elegans has been shown to increase or decrease normal lifespan by influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. Distribution of zinc is achieved by a family of highly conserved zinc transport proteins (ZIPT in C. elegans). This study investigated the role of the zipt family of genes and showed that depletion of individual zipt genes results in a decreased lifespan. Moreover, zipt-16 and zipt-17 mutants synthetically interact with the insulin/IGF cofactors daf-16 and skn-1, and cause abnormal localisation of DAF-16. This study suggests that the zipt family of genes are required for maintaining normal lifespan through influencing the insulin/IGF-1 pathway. © 2019 Federation of European Biochemical Societies
- Description: This study was supported by the resources at Federation University; no external funding was used to fund this study. We acknowledge the Caenorhabditis elegans Genetics Centre for the strains used in this study and Hannah Tatnell (Federation University) for technical assistance.
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