Biopolis Dresden Imaging Platform

Methylation of the sterol nucleus by STRM-1 regulates dauer larva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Hannich JT, Entchev EV, Mende F, Boytchev H, Martin R, Zagoriy V, Theumer G, Riezman I, Riezman H, Knölker HJ, Kurzchalia TV

In response to pheromone(s), Caenorhabditis elegans interrupts its reproductive life cycle and enters diapause as a stress-resistant dauer larva. This decision is governed by a complex system of neuronal and hormonal regulation. All the signals converge onto the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12. A sterol-derived hormone, dafachronic acid (DA), supports reproductive development by binding to DAF-12 and inhibiting its dauer-promoting activity. Here, we identify a methyltransferase, STRM-1, that modulates DA levels and thus dauer formation. By modifying the substrates that are used for the synthesis of DA, STRM-1 can reduce the amount of hormone produced. Loss of STRM-1 function leads to elevated levels of DA and inefficient dauer formation. Sterol methylation was not previously recognized as a mechanism for regulating hormone activity. Moreover, the C-4 sterol nucleus methylation catalyzed by STRM-1 is unique to nematodes and thus could be a target for therapeutic strategies against parasitic nematode infections.

Fig. 7 taken from Hannich et al, 2009.
  • Dev. Cell 2009 Jun;16(6):833-43
  • 2009
  • Developmental Biology
  • 19531354
  • PubMed

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