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

> **NIH NIH SC3** · CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE · 2020 · $108,750

## 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 organization:** CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Ray L Hong
- **Activity code:** SC3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $108,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-07-01 → 2021-08-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9978066

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9978066, The mode-of-action for pheromone-induced paralysis in Pristionchus pacificus (5SC3GM105579-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9978066. Licensed CC0.

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