The SNAPc complex mediates starvation-induced trans-splicing in Caenorhabditis elegans

Dietary restriction usually suppresses biosynthesis but activates catabolic pathways in animals. However, the short-term starvation enhances biosynthetic activities and promotes ribosomal biogenesis in adult Caenorhabditis elegans. The mechanism underlying the processes remains largely unknown. Here, we find that the short-term starvation enhances the SL1 trans-splicing of translation-related genes in adult C. elegans by transcriptome analysis. The small nuclear RNA-activating protein complex (SNAPc) promotes SL RNA production and mediates starvation-induced trans-splicing. TOFU-5, a core factor in the upstream sequence transcription complex (USTC) essential for piRNA production, is also involved in the starvation -induced trans-splicing processes. Knocking down components of the SNAPc complex and tofu-5 extends worm survival under starvation conditions. Taken together, our study highlights the importance of SL trans -splicing in the nutrition response and reveals a mechanism of the survival regulation by food deprivation via SNAPc and TOFU-5.Copyright (c) 2022, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Genetics Society of China. Published by Elsevier Limited and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Starvation enhances trans-splicing of translation-related genes in adult C. elegans by promoting SL1 trans-splicing through the action of SNAPc and TOFU-5. Knocking down these factors extends worm survival under starvation conditions, indicating the importance of SL trans-splicing in nutritional response and survival regulation.