Table 2 C.elegans single gene mutants used in this study

N2

Wild type

Reference C. elegans strain

[20]

daf-2

(e1370)III

Insulin-like receptor gene

Extended lifespan, increased resistance to heat, oxidative stress, and pathogens.

[14, 22]

age-1

(hx546)II

Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. Downstream of daf-2.

Similar to daf-2

[22, 83]

daf-16

(mu86)I

Fork-head transcription factor. Negatively regulated by the daf-2 pathway.

Decreased lifespan, decreased resistance to heat, oxidative stress, and pathogens.

[22, 84]

lys-7

(ok1384)V

Lysozyme

Induced by S. marcescens infection

[31]

spp-1

(ok2703)

Saposin-like protein

Active against E. coli and expressed in the intestine

[85]

sod-3

(gk235)X

Superoxide dismutase

Increased susceptibility to E. faecalis

[42]

ctl-2

(ok1137)II

Catalase

Decreased lifespan, increased susceptibility to E. faecalis

[42, 44]

dbl-1

(nk3)V

Homologue of mammalian TGF-β

Enhanced susceptibility to pathogens

[31, 86]

lys-1

(ok2445)

Lysozyme

Induced by S. marcescens infection

[31]

pmk-1

(km25)

p38 MAP kinase homolog

Enhanced susceptibility to pathogens

[27]

tol-1

(nr2033)I

Sole Tol-like receptor.

Unable to avoid pathogenic bacteria. Susceptible to killing by gram negative bacteria. .

[35, 36]

trx-1

(ok1449)II

Thioredoxin

Decreased lifespan

[47, 48]

phm-2

(ad597)I

Pharynx morphogenesis

Defective terminal bulb. Allows greater numbers of intact bacteria to enter the intestinal tract.

[54]

clk-1

(e2519)III

Coenzyme Q Mitochondrial function

Extended lifespan

[56]