NHR-66 Regulates Cuticular Collagen Expression and Modulates C. elegans Adhesion to Predatory Fungi

NHR-66, a nuclear hormone receptor in C. elegans, regulates cuticle collagen genes important for fungal adhesion. RNA-seq of wild-type and nhr-66 STOP-IN mutants exposed to Arthrobotrys oligospora revealed >1200 genes downregulated in mutants, including over 40% of the collagen gene family. GO analysis highlighted enrichment in cuticle structure terms. Late L4-stage wild-type and nhr-66 mutants were exposed to A. oligospora for 30 min. Total RNA was extracted, DNase-treated, and quality-checked (RIN ≥ 8.0). RNA-seq was performed, followed by PCA and differential gene expression analysis.