The marginal cells of the Caenorhabditis elegans pharynx scavenge cholesterol and other hydrophobic small molecules

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11908-0
• Publication Date: 2019-09-02T18:11:06Z
• Authors: Muntasir Kamal; Houtan Moshiri; Lilia Magomedova; Duhyun Han; Ken C. Q. Nguyen; May Yeo; Jessica Knox; Rachel Bagg; Amy M. Won; Karolina Szlapa; Christopher M. Yip; Carolyn L. Cummins; David H. Hall; Peter J. Roy
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Bacteria; Science; Q; Cell Membrane; Transferases (Other Substituted Phosphate Groups); Article; Sphingomyelins; 03 medical and health sciences; Cholesterol; Mutation; Animals; Pharynx; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Crystallization; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

Abstract The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a bacterivore filter feeder. Through the contraction of worm’s pharynx, bacterial suspension sucked into pharynx’s lumen. Excess liquid then shunted out buccal cavity through ancillary channels made by surrounding marginal cells. We find that many worm-bioactive small molecules ( a.k.a . wactives) accumulate inside cells as crystals or globular spheres. screens for mutants resist lethality associated with one crystallizing wactive we identify presumptive sphingomyelin-synthesis pathway necessary crystal and sphere accumulation. expression sphingomyelin synthase 5 (SMS-5) in not only sufficient accumulation but also important absorbing exogenous cholesterol, without which C. cannot develop. conclude sphingomyelin-rich act sink to scavenge nutrients from filtered might otherwise be back environment.