Fig. 2

PDI-3, a PDIA3 ortholog, inhibits respiratory function in whole C. elegans worms. a PDIA3 is highly conserved in the eukaryotic genome, having approximately 50% amino acid sequence homology between humans and worms (thioredoxin domains highlighted in yellow). b The PDI-3 gene deleted TP66 strain C. elegans genotype was confirmed by PCR targeting genomic DNA surrounding the excision site. c, d PDI-3 is deficient in the TP66 strain of C. elegans and leads to an increase in reserve capacity and maximal respiration compared to N2 WT worms after treatment with the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler FCCP (with ~ 75 worms from n = 6 plates, two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). e–f Acute knockdown of PDI-3 by siRNA in N2 strain worms increased maximal respiration (n = 3, two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05) relative to control (empty vector) fed worms