TRAF-like Proteins Regulate Cellular Survival in the Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea

Benjamin Ziman; Paul G Barghouth; Eli Isael Maciel; Néstor J Oviedo

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2020.101665

TRAF-like Proteins Regulate Cellular Survival in the Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea

iScience. 2020 Oct 9;23(11):101665. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101665. eCollection 2020 Nov 20.

Authors

Benjamin Ziman^{1

2}, Paul G Barghouth^{1

2}, Eli Isael Maciel^{1

2}, Néstor J Oviedo^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
² Quantitative and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
³ Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA.

Abstract

Tissue homeostasis relies on the timely renewal of cells that have been damaged or have surpassed their biological age. Nonetheless, the underlying molecular mechanism coordinating tissue renewal is unknown. The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea harbors a large population of stem cells that continuously divide to support the restoration of tissues throughout the body. Here, we identify that TNF Receptor Associated Factors (TRAFs) play critical roles in cellular survival during tissue repair in S. mediterranea. Disruption with RNA-interference of TRAF signaling results in rapid morphological defects and lethality within 2 weeks. The TRAF phenotype is accompanied by an increased number of mitoses and cell death. Our results also reveal TRAF signaling is required for proper regeneration of the nervous system. Taken together, we find functional conservation of TRAF-like proteins in S. mediterranea as they act as crucial regulators of cellular survival during tissue homeostasis and regeneration.

Keywords: Biological Sciences; Cell Biology; Developmental Biology.

Grants and funding

R01 GM132753/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States