The mode-of-action for pheromone-induced paralysis in Pristionchus pacificus

NIH RePORTER · NIH · SC3 · $108,750 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary Parasitic nematodes have long harmed crops, pets, livestock, and humans. Wide usage of current broad-spectrum anthelmintics as preventive medicine has led to emerging nematode resistance against these compounds in many human populations, prompting the exploration of compounds with novel genetic targets. Our discovery that an insect pheromone can act both as an attractant as well as an anthelmintic represents a unique opportunity to define a novel drug target. Our proposal is to identify the mode-of-action for this pheromone using a lipid- binding protein as the genetic entry point. We propose three independent strategies involving candidate gene expression and functional analysis, along with forward genetic screens to identify the pheromone receptor and other components of the signaling pathway.

Key facts

NIH application ID
9978066
Project number
5SC3GM105579-08
Recipient
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE
Principal Investigator
Ray L Hong
Activity code
SC3
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
$108,750
Award type
5
Project period
2013-07-01 → 2021-08-01