C elegans And Humans

A brief overview on C elegans

• C elegans is a small (about 1 mm long), transparent , free-living nematode.

• Feeds on bacteria

• Non parasitic worm

Anatomy-

TWO SEXES:-

1) A self fertilizing hermaphrodite(XX)2) A male(X0)

LIFE CYCLE

Dauer larva

• Developmentally arrested alternative third stage larva

• Forms in response to high population density (dauer pheromone), high temperature, low food

• Non-feeding, buccal cavity sealed, survive on stored food

• Live for up to 70 days• Non-ageing: post dauer adults have normal

lifespans

C elegans AS MODEL ORGANISM

Why an organism with a life span of 2 weeks vs. an organism with a life span of 70+ years?

• About 70% of human genes have a clear C elegans homologs which includes human disease genes.

• Example- Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Type II diabetes ,Age related problems.

• There are many pathways in C elegans showing similarity with human system.

AGEING PATHWAY

• DRUGS HAVE BEEN FORMULATED TO KNOCKDOWN THE ACTIVITY OF SUCH gene.

• EXAMPLE- rapamycin, but it suppresses the immune system.

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