Dafadine Does Not Promote Dauer Development in Pristionchus pacificus.

Abstract

In response to unfavorable conditions, nematodes develop into the stress-resistant dauer larvae. Under favorable conditions, many nematodes are known to synthesize dafachronic acids (DAs) that bind to the conserved nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12 to suppress dauer development. However, the enzymes involved in the production of DAs have not been thoroughly investigated in Pristionchus pacificus . Here we show that the cytochrome P450 inhibitor Dafadine-A, which suppresses DAF-9 in DA biosynthesis in C. elegans and other nematode species, does not cause constitutive dauer formation or gonad migration defects in P. pacificus wild type. Instead, Dafadine-A may slightly reduce P. pacificus growth rate.