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C. elegans feed yolk to their young in a form of primitive lactation

Author

Listed:
  • Carina C. Kern

    (University College London)

  • StJohn Townsend

    (University College London
    The Francis Crick Institute)

  • Antoine Salzmann

    (University College London)

  • Nigel B. Rendell

    (University College London)

  • Graham W. Taylor

    (University College London)

  • Ruxandra M. Comisel

    (University College London)

  • Lazaros C. Foukas

    (University College London)

  • Jürg Bähler

    (University College London)

  • David Gems

    (University College London)

Abstract

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans exhibits rapid senescence that is promoted by the insulin/IGF-1 signalling (IIS) pathway via regulated processes that are poorly understood. IIS also promotes production of yolk for egg provisioning, which in post-reproductive animals continues in an apparently futile fashion, supported by destructive repurposing of intestinal biomass that contributes to senescence. Here we show that post-reproductive mothers vent yolk which can be consumed by larvae and promotes their growth. This implies that later yolk production is not futile; instead vented yolk functions similarly to milk. Moreover, yolk venting is promoted by IIS. These findings suggest that a self-destructive, lactation-like process effects resource transfer from postreproductive C. elegans mothers to offspring, in a fashion reminiscent of semelparous organisms that reproduce in a single, suicidal burst. That this process is promoted by IIS provides insights into how and why IIS shortens lifespan in C. elegans.

Suggested Citation

  • Carina C. Kern & StJohn Townsend & Antoine Salzmann & Nigel B. Rendell & Graham W. Taylor & Ruxandra M. Comisel & Lazaros C. Foukas & Jürg Bähler & David Gems, 2021. "C. elegans feed yolk to their young in a form of primitive lactation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-25821-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25821-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Carina C. Kern & Shivangi Srivastava & Marina Ezcurra & Kuei Ching Hsiung & Nancy Hui & StJohn Townsend & Dominik Maczik & Bruce Zhang & Victoria Tse & Viktoras Konstantellos & Jürg Bähler & David Gem, 2023. "C. elegans ageing is accelerated by a self-destructive reproductive programme," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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