RRC ID 83984
Author Haque R, Kurien SP, Setty H, Salzberg Y, Stelzer G, Litvak E, Gingold H, Rechavi O, Oren-Suissa M.
Title Sex-specific developmental gene expression atlas unveils dimorphic gene networks in C. elegans.
Journal Nat Commun
Abstract Sex-specific traits and behaviors emerge during development by the acquisition of unique properties in the nervous system of each sex. However, the genetic events responsible for introducing these sex-specific features remain poorly understood. In this study, we create a comprehensive gene expression atlas of pure populations of hermaphrodites and males of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans across development. We discover numerous differentially expressed genes, including neuronal gene families like transcription factors, neuropeptides, and G protein-coupled receptors. We identify INS-39, an insulin-like peptide, as a prominent male-biased gene expressed specifically in ciliated sensory neurons. We show that INS-39 serves as an early-stage male marker, facilitating the effective isolation of males in high-throughput experiments. Through complex and sex-specific regulation, ins-39 plays pleiotropic sexually dimorphic roles in various behaviors, while also playing a shared, dimorphic role in early life stress. This study offers a comparative sexual and developmental gene expression database for C. elegans. Furthermore, it highlights conserved genes that may underlie the sexually dimorphic manifestation of different human diseases.
Volume 15(1)
Pages 4273
Published 2024-5-20
DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-48369-z
PII 10.1038/s41467-024-48369-z
PMID 38769103
PMC PMC11106331
MeSH Animals Caenorhabditis elegans* / genetics Caenorhabditis elegans* / growth & development Caenorhabditis elegans* / metabolism Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / genetics Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / metabolism Female Gene Expression Profiling Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental* Gene Regulatory Networks* Male Neuropeptides / genetics Neuropeptides / metabolism Sensory Receptor Cells / metabolism Sex Characteristics* Transcription Factors / genetics Transcription Factors / metabolism
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C.elegans tm5065 tm4583