Date of Award
Summer 7-7-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
August 2026
Department
Biological Sciences
College Granting Degree
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department Granting Degree
Biological Sciences
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Kailiang Jia
Abstract
Humans, animals, and plants are subject to parasitic nematode infection. Infections from parasitic nematodes can range from serious illness to loss of livestock and agriculture. Anthelmintic drugs are used to intervene and treat parasitic infections. However, there is a need for novel, safe, and efficient anthelmintic medication due to increasing drug-resistant parasite strains. Parasitic nematodes must infect a host to continue developing into reproductive adults. Infective larvae (iL3s) of parasitic nematodes are comparable to Caenorhabditis elegans dauer larvae. Therefore, a fundamental comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the dauer state in C. elegans will illuminate methods for the control of nematode parasites (Wang & Kim, 2003). The morphologically altered dauer larvae can survive harsh conditions, including insufficient food and high temperature. Dauer formation is determined by food, pheromones, and temperature. Research indicates ASI neurons suppress dauer formation. Our lab recently demonstrated DCAR-1, a G Protein-coupled receptor, influences dauer formation. Interestingly, dcar-1 is expressed in ASI. Moreover, dcar-1 mutants are sensitive to dauer-inducing pheromone, suggesting it acts as a food signaling receptor. The food signaling pathway has not been elucidated in C. elegans. To understand the role of dcar-1 in food signaling, we examined the tissue-specific requirement of dcar-1 in controlling dauer formation, which is informative for future drug delivery. Additionally, we found 3-(2 4 dihydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (HPLA), a dcar-1 ligand, promotes dauer formation, which indicates HPLA is an inhibitor of DCAR-1. Lastly, we examined the influence of other chemicals that are structurally similar to HPLA on dauer formation and identified two more chemicals. Taken together, we confirmed that DCAR-1 is a new drug target for controlling nematode parasites and data from this project shed light on the development of novel anthelmintic drugs.
Recommended Citation
Vela, Michelle, "IDENTIFICATION OF THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF GPCR DCAR-1 IN DAUER DEVELOPMENT" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 437.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/437