Temperature-sensitive germline structures and temperature thresholds of fertility in Caenorhabditis nematodes

PROJECT SUMMARY Species from worms to humans show a critical loss of fertility when exposed to elevated temperatures. This conserved response to temperature stress affects both males and females. Interestingly while every species tested, including humans, appear to have a thermal limit of fertility below temperatures that lead to death, even

closely related species can have different thermal limits of fertility. What then could be the germline specific structure/pathway that experiences a conserved temperature sensitive failure, but that the specific temperature when it fails can be modified? Two possible such structures that are germline specific are the synaptonemal

complex (SC) and germ granules. Both structures are necessary for fertility and exhibit liquid-like properties that make them inherently structurally temperature sensitive. Notably, proteins within these structures contain intrinsically disordered domains that contribute to the liquid-like properties of the structures and are also rapidly

evolving. In the model nematode C. elegans, both structures have been shown to have structural failure around or just above the temperature where C. elegans goes sterile. Using a comparative model of Caenorhabditis nematodes that have different thermal limits of fertility, we will test if the SC and P granules

(nematode specific germ granules) are the critical structures that fail during high temperature stress. In this grant we will test the hypothesis that the liquid-like physical properties of the synaptonemal complex and P granules predisposes them to failure during temperature stress leading to loss of fertility at elevated

temperatures using two Aims. In Aim 1 we will determine how synaptonemal complex stability plays a role in the thermal limit of fertility. These experiments will specifically add to our understanding how conserved is the temperature sensitivity of meiotic processes. In Aim 2 we will determine how P granule stability plays a role in

the set point of the thermal limit of fertility. These experiments will add to our understanding of how germ granules are vulnerable to temperature stress. This work will elucidate why germ cells across species are so sensitive to increased temperature and help explain why species, including humans, are losing fertility in the

face of climate associate higher temperatures.