Skn-1, Nrf homolog, Role in Cannabidiol Neuroprotective Properties in Caenorhabditis elegans
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Ava Holzer
Presenter(s): Ava Holzer
Mentors(s): Julie Moreno, Abdullatif Alsulami
Skn-1, Nrf homolog, Role in Cannabidiol Neuroprotective Properties in Caenorhabditis elegans Ava Holzer1, Abdullatif Alsulami1,3, Makayla Linfoot1,3, Stephanie McGrath2,3 and Julie Moreno1,3 Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA2 Brain Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA3 Cellular stress plays a critical role in neurodegeneration, yet the mechanisms by which cannabidiol (CBD) influences stress response pathways remain unclear. Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s antioxidant defense system, which is regulated by transcription factors like Nrf-2. While CBD has been linked to oxidative stress regulation, its interaction with skn-1, the C. elegans homolog of Nrf-2, remains underexplored. This study investigates CBD’s role in modulating oxidative stress responses in C. elegans. Skn-1 has three isoforms: skn-1b and skn-1c regulate antioxidant defense, while skn-1a plays a role in proteostasis by regulating proteasome activity. Using a worm model, we will assess neuromuscular function through head thrash assays to determine whether CBD enhances skn-1 activation under oxidative stress conditions. The WormLab system enables precise, automated tracking of locomotion, improving our ability to quantify stress responses. We hypothesize that CBD activates skn-1 pathways to enhance oxidative stress defense mechanisms. Understanding this interaction will address gaps in knowledge regarding CBD’s role in cellular stress and provide insight into its potential as a neuroprotective agent. By elucidating how CBD influences oxidative stress resilience, this study contributes to broader research on therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.