RNA-Seq to identify NMUR-1-regulated genes in C. elegans defense against pathogen infection

To gain molecular insights on how NMUR-1 regulates C. elegans defense against pathogen infection, we used RNA-Seq to profile gene expression in nmur-1(ok1387) animals relative to wild-type animals with or without E. faecalis or S. enterica infection. We found that NMUR-1 modulates C. elegans transcription activity by regulating the expression of transcription factors, which, in turn, controls the expression of distinct immune genes in response to different pathogens. Five replicates of six groups of RNA samples (nmur-1(ok1387) and wild-type animals with or without exposure to E. faecalis or S. enterica) were sequenced. Gene expression was compared between groups to identify NMUR-1-regulated genes under uninfection or infection conditions.