Biology subjects

Wibisono, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Wibisono, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Comparison of sodium azide- and cooling-based immobilization methods for Caenorhabditis elegans chemotaxis assays

Chemotaxis assays are widely used to quantify sensory-driven behavioral responses in Caenorhabditis elegans. Sodium azide is commonly used to immobilize animals at assay endpoints, although concerns have been raised that diffusion beyond the endpoint region could affect behavior before a choice is completed. We compared sodium azide-mediated immobilization with post-assay cooling using the repellent 1-octanol and attractant diacetyl. Wild-type animals showed robust avoidance of 30% 1-octanol and attraction to 0.5% diacetyl with either method, across multiple assay durations, and with or without worm food Escherichia coli OP50. These results support post-assay cooling as an alternative endpoint-scoring method.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2021

Neural G protein-coupled receptor OCTR-1 mediates temperature effects on longevity by regulating immune response genes in C. elegans

Researchers have long known that many animals live longer in colder climates than in warmer climates. The inverse relationship between temperature and lifespan was traditionally explained using the rate of living theory, which suggests that higher temperatures increase chemical reaction rates, thus speeding up the aging process. However, recent studies have identified specific molecules, cells and signaling pathways involved in the longevity response to temperature, indicating that such a response is not simply thermodynamic but a regulated process. Here, we report that Caenorhabditis elegans lacking OCTR-1, a neuronal G protein-couple receptor for the neurotransmitter octopamine, had extended lifespan at warm temperature but shortened lifespan at cool temperature, indicating that OCTR-1 modulates the longevity response to both warm and cool temperatures. We further found that these responses are regulated by the OCTR-1-expressing, chemosensory ASH neurons. Transcriptomic analysis and functional assays revealed that OCTR-1 mediates temperature effects on longevity by regulating a subset of immune response genes. Our study provides cellular and molecular insights into the relationship between temperature and longevity, which could be useful for developing strategies to extend human lifespan in the midst of global warming.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

The neuropeptide receptor NMUR-1 regulates the specificity of C. elegans innate immunity against pathogen infection

A key question in current immunology is how the innate immune system generates high levels of specificity. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans model system, we demonstrate that functional loss of NMUR-1, a neuronal G protein-coupled receptor homologous to mammalian receptors for the neuropeptide neuromedin U, has diverse effects on C. elegans innate immunity against various bacterial pathogens. Transcriptomic analyses and functional assays revealed that NMUR-1 modulates C. elegans transcription activity by regulating the expression of transcription factors involved in binding to RNA polymerase II regulatory regions, which, in turn, controls the expression of distinct immune genes in response to different pathogens. These results uncovered a molecular basis for the specificity of C. elegans innate immunity. Given the evolutionary conservation of NMUR-1 signaling in immune regulation across multicellular organisms, our study could provide mechanistic insights into understanding the specificity of innate immunity in other animals, including mammals.

microbiology↗