Nonapoptotic role of EGL-1 in exopher production and neuronal health in Caenorhabditis elegans

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Wu, Zheng; Cardona, Eric A.; Cohn, Jesse A.; Pierce, Jonathan T.
• 署名单位: University of Texas System; University of Texas Austin
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-14110
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.240790912
• 发表日期: 2025-01-14
• 关键词: cell-death; valproic acid; mitochondrial homeostasis; protein ced-9; transient; apoptosis; survival; homolog; circuit; encodes

摘要

While traditionally studied for their proapoptotic functions in activating the caspase, research suggests BH3-only proteins also have other roles such as mitochondrial dynamics regulation. Here, we find that EGL-1, the BH3-only protein in Caenorhabditis elegans, promotes the cell-autonomous production of exophers in adult neurons. Exophers are large, micron-scale vesicles that are ejected from the cell and contain cellular components such as mitochondria. EGL-1 facilitates exopher production potentially through regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. Moreover, an endogenous, low level of EGL-1 expression appears to benefit dendritic health. Our findings provide insights into the role of neuronal BH3-only protein in mitochondrial dynamics, downstream exopher production, and ultimately neuronal health.