tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide (tBHP)-Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Embryonic Defects Resemble Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency in C. elegans

Abstract

G6PD is required for embryonic development in animals, as severe G6PD deficiency is lethal to mice, zebrafish and nematode. Lipid peroxidation is linked to membrane-associated embryonic defects in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> (<i>C. elegans</i>). However, the direct link between lipid peroxidation and embryonic lethality has not been established. The aim of this study was to delineate the role of lipid peroxidation in <i>gspd-1</i>-knockdown (ortholog of <i>g6pd</i>) <i>C. elegans</i> during reproduction. <i>tert</i>-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) was used as an exogenous inducer. Short-term tBHP administration reduced brood size and enhanced germ cell death in <i>C. elegans</i>. The altered phenotypes caused by tBHP resembled GSPD-1 deficiency in <i>C. elegans</i>. Mechanistically, tBHP-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) production and stimulated calcium-independent phospholipase A₂ (iPLA) activity, leading to disturbed oogenesis and embryogenesis. The current study provides strong evidence to support the notion that enhanced lipid peroxidation in G6PD deficiency promotes death of germ cells and impairs embryogenesis in <i>C. elegans</i>.