Advancing insights into microgravity induced muscle changes using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism

Beckett, Laura J.; Williams, Philip M.; Toh, Li Shean; Hessel, Volker; Gerstweiler, Lukas; Fisk, Ian; Toronjo-Urquiza, Luis; Chauhan, Veeren M.

Abstract

Spaceflight presents significant challenges to the physiological state of living organisms. This can be due to the microgravity environment experienced during long-term space missions, resulting in alterations in muscle structure and function, such as atrophy. However, a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive mechanisms of biological systems is required to devise potential solutions and therapeutic approaches for adapting to spaceflight conditions. This review examines the current understanding of the challenges posed by spaceflight on physiological changes, alterations in metabolism, dysregulation of pathways and the suitability and advantages of using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes to study the effects of spaceflight. Research has shown that changes in the gene and protein composition of nematodes significantly occur across various larval stages and rearing environments, including both microgravity and Earth gravity settings, often mirroring changes observed in astronauts. Additionally, the review explores significant insights into the fundamental metabolic changes associated with muscle atrophy and growth, which could lead to the development of diagnostic biomarkers and innovative techniques to prevent and counteract muscle atrophy. These insights not only advance our understanding of microgravity-induced muscle atrophy but also lay the groundwork for the development of targeted interventions to mitigate its effects in the future.

Citation

Beckett, L. J., Williams, P. M., Toh, L. S., Hessel, V., Gerstweiler, L., Fisk, I., Toronjo-Urquiza, L., & Chauhan, V. M. (2024). Advancing insights into microgravity induced muscle changes using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. npj Microgravity, 10(1), Article 79. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-024-00418-z

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jul 11, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 26, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 26, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jul 30, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 31, 2024
• Journal: npj Microgravity
• Print ISSN: 2373-8065
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 79
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-024-00418-z
• Keywords: Chemical biology; Developmental biology; Physiology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/37858812
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41526-024-00418-z
• Additional Information: Received: 14 February 2024; Accepted: 11 July 2024; First Online: 26 July 2024; : The authors declare no competing interests.