C. elegans: out on an evolutionary limb

AbstractThe natural environment of the free-living nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans is rich in pathogenic microbes. There is now ample evidence to indicate that these pathogens exert a strong selection pressure onC.  elegans, and have shaped its genome, physiology, and behaviour. In this short review, we concentrate on howC.  elegans stands out from other animals in terms of its immune repertoire and innate immune signalling pathways. We discuss howC.  elegans often detects pathogens because of their effects on essential cellular processes, or organelle integrity, in addition to direct microbial recognition. We illustrate the extensive molecular plasticity that is characteristic of immune defences inC.  elegans and highlight some remarkable instances of lineage-specific innovation in innate immune mechanisms.
Source: Immunogenetics - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research