Nuclear hormone receptors in C. elegans

Abstract

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are transcription factors typically regulated by lipophilic hormones, which coordinate metazoan metabolism, development and homeostasis. C. elegans has undergone a remarkable expansion of the family, harboring 284 of these receptors in its genome. Approximately 20 of them have been analyzed genetically, most of which correspond to conserved homologs in other metazoans. These NRs variously affect broad life history traits such as sex determination, molting, developmental timing, diapause, and life span. They also impact neural development, axon outgrowth and neuronal identity. Finally, they influence lipid and xenobiotic metabolism. The study of C. elegans NRs holds great promise for dissecting nuclear receptor signaling pathways in vivo in the context of complex endocrine networks.