NSBP-1 mediates the effects of cholesterol on insulin/IGF-1 signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2013 May;70(9):1623-36. doi: 10.1007/s00018-012-1221-0. Epub 2012 Dec 20.

Abstract

Nematode sterol-binding protein 1 (NSBP-1) is a homolog of nucleosome assembly protein 1 in mammals that is expressed widely in Caenorhabditis elegans. NSBP-1 mutants are biologically lethal, demonstrating the significance of the gene in growth and development. We investigated how cholesterol influences the insulin signaling pathway through this novel sterol-binding protein in C. elegans. Here we report that NSBP-1 influences many biological processes mediated by insulin signaling, such as longevity, dauer formation, fat storage, and resistance to oxidative stress. We found that NSBP-1 is phosphorylated by AKT-1 downstream of insulin signaling. In the absence of insulin signaling, NSBP-1 is translocated to the nucleus and binds to DAF-16, a FOXO transcription factor, in a cholesterol-dependent manner. Moreover, NSBP-1 and DAF-16 regulate a common set of genes that can directly modulate fat storage, longevity, and resistance to stress. Together, our results present a new steroid-binding molecule that can connect sterol signaling to insulin signaling through direct interaction with FOXO.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / ultrastructure
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / analysis
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / analysis
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Gene Expression
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Insulin
  • Transcription Factors
  • daf-16 protein, C elegans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Cholesterol