Biological responsiveness to the phorbol esters and specific binding of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate in the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans, a manipulable genetic system

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Abstract
Because of its suitability for genetic studies, the nematode Caenorhabdiris elegans was examined for its responsiveness to the phorbol esters. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate had three effects. It inhibited the increase in animal size during growth; it decreased the yield of progeny; and it caused uncoordinated movement of the adult. The effects on nematode size, progeny yield, and movement were quantitated. Concentrations of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate yielding half-maximal responses were 440, 460, and 170 nM, respectively. As was expected from the biological responsiveness of the nematodes, specific, saturable binding of phorbol ester to nematode extracts was found. [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate bound with a dissociation constant of 26.8 ± 3.9 nM. At saturation, 5.7 ± 1.4 pmole/mg protein was bound.