HID-1, a new component of the peptidergic signaling pathway

Genetics. 2011 Feb;187(2):467-83. doi: 10.1534/genetics.110.121996. Epub 2010 Nov 29.

Abstract

hid-1 was originally identified as a Caenorhabditis elegans gene encoding a novel conserved protein that regulates the decision to enter into the enduring dauer larval stage. We isolated a novel allele of hid-1 in a forward genetic screen for mutants mislocalizing RBF-1 rabphilin, a RAB-27 effector. Here we demonstrate that HID-1 functions in the nervous system to regulate neuromuscular signaling and in the intestine to regulate the defecation motor program. We further show that a conserved N-terminal myristoylated motif of both invertebrate and vertebrate HID-1 is essential for its association with intracellular membranes in nematodes and PC12 cells. C. elegans neuronal HID-1 resides on intracellular membranes in neuronal cell somas; however, the kinesin UNC-104 also transports HID-1 to synaptic regions. HID-1 accumulates in the axons of unc-13 and unc-31 mutants, suggesting it is associated with neurosecretory vesicles. Consistent with this, genetic studies place HID-1 in a peptidergic signaling pathway. Finally, a hid-1 null mutation reduces the levels of endogenous neuropeptides and alters the secretion of fluorescent-tagged cargos derived from neuronal and intestinal dense core vesicles (DCVs). Taken together, our findings indicate that HID-1 is a novel component of a DCV-based neurosecretory pathway and that it regulates one or more aspects of the biogenesis, maturation, or trafficking of DCVs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Neurosecretion / genetics
  • PC12 Cells
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • HID-1 protein, C elegans
  • Neuropeptides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins