Title | A size threshold governs Caenorhabditis elegans developmental progression. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Uppaluri, S, Brangwynne, CP |
Journal | Proc Biol Sci |
Volume | 282 |
Issue | 1813 |
Pagination | 20151283 |
Date Published | 2015 Aug 22 |
ISSN | 1471-2954 |
Keywords | Animals, Body Size, Caenorhabditis elegans, Diet, Lab-On-A-Chip Devices, Metamorphosis, Biological |
Abstract | <p>The growth of organisms from humans to bacteria is affected by environmental conditions. However, mechanisms governing growth and size control are not well understood, particularly in the context of changes in food availability in developing multicellular organisms. Here, we use a novel microfluidic platform to study the impact of diet on the growth and development of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This device allows us to observe individual worms throughout larval development, quantify their growth as well as pinpoint the moulting transitions marking successive developmental stages. Under conditions of low food availability, worms grow very slowly, but do not moult until they have achieved a threshold size. The time spent in larval stages can be extended by over an order of magnitude, in agreement with a simple threshold size model. Thus, a critical worm size appears to trigger developmental progression, and may contribute to prolonged lifespan under dietary restriction.</p> |
DOI | 10.1098/rspb.2015.1283 |
Alternate Journal | Proc Biol Sci |
PubMed ID | 26290076 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4632629 |
Grant List | DP2 GM105437 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States P40 OD010440 / OD / NIH HHS / United States 1DP2GM105437-01 / DP / NCCDPHP CDC HHS / United States |