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The Biosynthesis of Ascarosides in Caenorhabditis elegans

Citation

Akagi, Allison Emi (2018) The Biosynthesis of Ascarosides in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z9ZK5DVT. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07282017-132944334

Abstract

Ascarosides comprise a family of small signaling molecules that have been shown to regulate important events and behaviors in the life history of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Although the different roles of individual ascarosides appear to be determined by the variances in chemical structure, the mechanisms by which ascarosides are synthesized as well as the locations in which ascarosides are produced within the worm are largely unknown. In this thesis, we examined ascaroside production in the intestine, hypodermis, and body wall muscle of the worm by driving the expression of the protein DAF-22 under different tissue-specific gene promoters. While the body wall muscle and hypodermis are capable of synthesizing ascarosides, the intestine appears to be the major site of pheromone production. Additionally, we found through transgenic rescue and HPLC-MS analysis, that the acyl-CoA synthetase ACS-7 plays a significant role in the addition of moieties derived from primary metabolic pathways to the 4’-position of the ascarylose sugar core of ascr#9.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:biosynthesis; ascarosides; Caenorhabditis elegans
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Sternberg, Paul W.
Thesis Committee:
  • Rees, Douglas C. (chair)
  • Reisman, Sarah E.
  • Parker, Carl Stevens
  • Sternberg, Paul W.
Defense Date:6 July 2017
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NIHT32GM007616
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:07282017-132944334
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07282017-132944334
DOI:10.7907/Z9ZK5DVT
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201700103DOIArticle adapted for Ch. 3. Biosynthesis of Modular Ascarosides in C. elegans
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Akagi, Allison Emi0000-0002-7233-6190
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:10353
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Allison Akagi
Deposited On:11 Sep 2017 20:49
Last Modified:04 Oct 2019 00:17

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