An NAD(+) biosynthetic pathway enzyme functions cell non-autonomously in C. elegans development

Dev Dyn. 2014 Aug;243(8):965-76. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.24139. Epub 2014 May 10.

Abstract

Background: Disruption of cellular metabolite levels can adversely impact development. Specifically, loss-of-function of the C. elegans NAD(+) salvage biosynthesis gene PNC-1 results in an array of developmental phenotypes. Intriguingly, PNC-1 and its functional equivalent in vertebrates are secreted, but the contributions of the extracellular enzymes are poorly understood. We sought to study the tissue-specific requirements for PNC-1 expression and to examine the role of the secreted isoform.

Results: A thorough analysis of PNC-1 expression did not detect expression in tissues that require PNC-1 function. Limited expression of both the secreted and intracellular PNC-1 isoforms provided function at a distance from the tissues with phenotypes. We also find that the secreted isoform contributes to in vivo PNC-1 activity. Furthermore, uv1 cell survival has the most stringent requirements in terms of PNC-1 expression pattern or level.

Conclusions: Using careful promoter analysis and a restricted expression approach, we have shown that both the secreted and the intracellular PNC-1 isoforms function cell non-autonomously, and that the PNC-1a isoform is functionally relevant in vivo. Our work suggests a model where PNC-1 function is provided cell non-autonomously by a mix of intra and extracellular activity, most likely requiring NAD(+) salvage metabolite transport between tissues.

Keywords: NAD+ salvage biosynthesis; Nampt; Pnc1; nicotinamide; nicotinic acid; vitamin B3.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / enzymology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms