Wu, Michael2023-10-172023-10-1720232023-102023-10-17October 20https://hdl.handle.net/10388/15144The CCR4-NOT complex is a critical regulator of gene expression involved in multiple cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, RNA metabolism, and stress responses. In this thesis, I investigated the role of ccf-1, a component of the CCR4-NOT complex, in stress responses and its necessity for normal lifespan and its implications in various pro-longevity signaling pathways in C. elegans. Through my experiments using environmental stressors such as cadmium and acrylamide, I measured several stress-responsive gene expression levels and observed that ccf-1 is required for stress-induced transcriptional changes in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, I found that the ccf-1 gene plays an important role in the lifespan of several long-lived mutants, highlighting its significance in the aging process. I also showed that other components of the CCR4-NOT complex are also involved in promoting proper transcriptional response to environmental stressors. Furthermore, my research led to the discovery of the PAL-1 protein as a novel transcriptional factor involved in stress response with pleiotropic effects, demonstrating additive impacts when interacting with the ccf-1 gene. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing stress responses and aging in C. elegans and may have broader implications in unraveling similar processes in higher organisms, including humans.application/pdfenAgingCCR4-NOT complexstress responseCaenorhabditis elegansThesis2023-10-17