Increased expression of metabolism and lysosome-associated genes in a C. elegans dpy-7 cuticle furrow mutant.

The collagen-based epidermal 'cuticle' of Caenorhabditis elegans functions as an extracellular sensor for damage that regulates genes promoting osmotic balance, innate immunity, and detoxification. Prior studies demonstrate that SKN-1 , an ortholog of the mammalian Nrf transcription factors, activates core detoxification genes downstream from cuticle damage. Prior RNAseq data suggested that expression of five genes with functions in redox balance, ATP homeostasis, and lysosome function ( gst-15 , gst-24 , cyts-1 , argk-1 , and mfsd-8.4 ) were increased in a cuticle collagen mutant; this study employed RT-qPCR to verify this observation and to test the role of SKN-1 . Activation of all five genes was verified in dpy-7 mutants, but none were reduced by skn-1 (RNAi) suggesting parallel or distinct regulatory mechanisms.