A redox signalling globin is essential for reproduction in Caenorhabditis elegans

• Published in: Nature communications 2015-12, Vol.6 (1), p.8782, Article 8782
• Main Authors: De Henau, Sasha, Tilleman, Lesley, Vangheel, Matthew, Luyckx, Evi, Trashin, Stanislav, Pauwels, Martje, Germani, Francesca, Vlaeminck, Caroline, Vanfleteren, Jacques R., Bert, Wim, Pesce, Alessandra, Nardini, Marco, Bolognesi, Martino, De Wael, Karolien, Moens, Luc, Dewilde, Sylvia, Braeckman, Bart P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 13/2; 13/89; 14/10; 14/19; 14/35; 38/39; 42/109; 631/136/334/1582/712; 631/443/494; 631/57/2272; 631/80/86; 64/11; 82/80; Animals; Apoptosis; Caenorhabditis elegans - chemistry; Caenorhabditis elegans - genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans - physiology; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - chemistry; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - genetics; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - metabolism; Germ Cells - metabolism; Globins - chemistry; Globins - genetics; Globins - metabolism; Humanities and Social Sciences; Ligands; Models, Molecular; multidisciplinary; Nematodes; Physiology; Proteins; Reproduction; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Signal Transduction; Superoxides - metabolism
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9782

Moderate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now recognized as redox signalling molecules. However, thus far, only mitochondria and NADPH oxidases have been identified as cellular sources of ROS in signalling. Here we identify a globin (GLB-12) that produces superoxide, a type of ROS, which serves as an essential signal for reproduction in C. elegans . We find that GLB-12 has an important role in the regulation of multiple aspects in germline development, including germ cell apoptosis. We further describe how GLB-12 displays specific molecular, biochemical and structural properties that allow this globin to act as a superoxide generator. In addition, both an intra- and extracellular superoxide dismutase act as key partners of GLB-12 to create a transmembrane redox signal. Our results show that a globin can function as a driving factor in redox signalling, and how this signal is regulated at the subcellular level by multiple control layers. Globins are best known for their role in respiration, but recent studies suggest they might contribute to redox signalling as well. Here, the authors present biochemical, structural and in vivo evidence that the roundworm globin Glb-12 acts as a superoxide generator necessary for germline development.