Unveiling the biological function of Caenorhabditis elegans scav-1 gene

Abstract

CD36 is a scavenger receptor involved in physiological processes ranging from innate immune response to lipid metabolism. Experimental data obtained in vertebrates indicate that CD36 is directly involved in lipid absorption and determination of lipid droplet composition and organization within cells. However, the molecular mechanisms through which CD36 promotes its actions is not completely clear. The model organism Caenorhabiditis elegans is a good alternative to elucidate molecular aspects of biological processes due to its amenability to gene manipulation (silencing or mutation) as well as the availability of a vast array of transgenic reporter strains. We will take advantage of C. elegans characteristics to study the biological function of scav-1, the worm ortholog of mammalian CD36, on lipid metabolism. Previous data obtained in our group indicate that scav-1 loss-of-function mutants are less fertile, shorter lived and seem to have decreased body lipids when compared to wild type worms. To investigate the impact of scav-1 in lipid absorption and metabolism, we will assess intestinal barrier integrity, lipid absorption and body lipid stores in scav-1 loss-of-function mutants and compare them with wild type worms. To assess general metabolic activity, we will analyze mitochondrial oxygen consumption in live worms and correlate this parameter with mitochondrial mass in both experimental groups. Finally, we will assess acid cellular compartments such as lysosomes, since they were shown to be involved in the control of lipid degradation at the cellular level. The results obtained in this project will advance the knowledge about the biological impact of the C. elegans ortholog of CD36 on key aspects of lipid metabolism, paving the way to a complete understanding of its biological effects.