Nematode Physiology
The Laboratory of Nematode Physiology primarily focuses on the function of globins in the nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans.
Globins are characterized by their globular shape that consists of a three-over-three (or two-over-two) α-helical sandwich structure bearing an iron heme group. They form a large and evolutionarily ancient protein family that is represented in bacteria, archea, and eukaryotes such as plants, fungi and animals. Globins, such as hemoglobin and myoglobin, are most well-known for their function in oxygen storage and transport, yet many have other functions, including redox signaling and interactions with NO.
The genome of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans encodes for an unusually large family of 34 globins of which most have not been functionally characterized yet. The majority of these globins is expressed in specific sets of neurons and is probably involved in signaling. A subset of the C. elegans globins is predicted to be tethered to the plasma membrane by acylation or with a transmembrane domain, while other may occur freely (as monomers or multimers) in the cytosol. Some are predicted to reside in the mitochondria and even the endoplasmic reticulum. This spatial diversity at the tissue and intracellular level, hints at a tremendous functional diversification of this family within the worm.
By exploiting the large genetic and molecular toolbox available for the model organism C. elegans, we aim to functionally characterize several members of this family. So far, we have focused on globins 1, 3, 12, 13, 26 and 33. For example, globin 12 (GLB-12) occurs in the plasma membrane of several neurons and in the somatic gonad. In the latter tissue, it acts as a superoxide generator and operates in concert with intra- and extracellular superoxide dismutases to generate a hydrogen peroxide signal which in turn influences development and apoptosis levels in the underlying germ line. This way, GLB-12 acts in a signaling cascade that controls worm reproduction. Its function in the neurons is still unclear.
Contact information
Ghent University, Biology Department
Laboratory for Nematode Physiology
K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35
9000 Gent
Belgium
phone: +32 (0)9 264 87 44