Stress granule dynamics in C. elegans neurodegeneration models
Principal Supervisor: Dr. Zita BalklavaLink opens in a new window
Co-supervisor: Dr. Mariaelena Repici
PhD project title: Stress granule dynamics in C. elegans neurodegeneration models
University of Registration: University of Aston
Project outline:
Stress granules (SGs) are dense aggregations of proteins and mRNAs appearing in the cytosol under stress conditions. They are transient and dynamic structures and play a critical role in mRNA metabolism and translational control by modulating the stress response. RNA-binding proteins control the sequestration of mRNA within SGs upon induction of stress. SG formation represents a physiological response to stress, however chronic stresses associated with aging lead to formation of persistent SGs that contribute to aggregation of disease-related proteins.
SGs dynamics have been mainly studied in yeast or human cell lines and not enough information is available on stress granules in multicellular organisms. C. elegans represents a powerful model to study neurodegeneration and dissect molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways contributing to pathology. An array of established C. elegans mutants can give insight into different aspects of neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. Similarly, several tools are now available to study the role of cytoplasmic stress granules in stress response in C. elegans.
The aim of this project is to use C. elegans models for neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD)) to investigate SG dynamics and role in neurodegeneration. This will be achieved through the following objectives:
Objective 1: Analyse SG dynamics in C. elegans AD and PD models using fluorescently labelled SG markers. For this objective GFP-tagged SG markers TIAR-1 and GTBP-1 will be crossed into AD and PD mutant worms and SG dynamics will be analysed in these mutants compared to wild type worms using live cell imaging and fluorescence and confocal microscopy at different time points throughout the lifetime of the animals.
Objective 2: Investigate whether modulation of SG formation affects AD and PD disease phenotypes. This objective will be achieved by crossing loss-of-function mutations of SG key proteins TIAR-1 and GTPB-1 into mutant AD and PD worms. Different metrics (life-span analysis, gentle touch behaviour, fecundity, distal germline size analysis, etc.) will be used to evaluate the resulting single and double mutant worms.
Together these objectives will allow to understand whether SGs play a crucial role in AD and PD pathogenesis and potentially suggest novel therapeutics for neurodegeneration.
References:
Wolozin, B. and Ivanov, P. (2019). Stress Granules and neurodegeneration. Nat Rev Neurosci, 11, 649-666, doi: 10.1038/s41583-019-0222-5.
Van Pelt, K. M. and Truttmann, M.C. Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system for studying aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Translational Medicine of Aging, 4, 60-72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tma.2020.05.001
BBSRC Strategic Research Priority: Understanding the rules of life - Neuroscience and behaviour and Integrated understanding of Health - Ageing
Techniques that will be undertaken during the project:
Genetic manipulations using transgenic technologies in C. elegans.
Molecular biology to construct RNA-mediated interference feeding vectors to analyse loss-of-function phenotypes.
C. elegans disease-related phenotype and behaviour analyses throughout lifetime of the animals.
Fluorescence microscopy and image analysis.