PAQR-2 is a C. elegans homolog of the mammalian adiponectin receptors. We have recently shown that PAQR-2 is essential for the ability of C. elegans to grow at its lower temperature range, i.e., 15 °C, and that the likely role of PAQR-2 during cold adaptation is to regulate membrane fluidity by promoting fatty acid desaturation. Here we present a summary of this work, with an emphasis on placing our C. elegans findings in the context of mammalian biology.
Keywords: AdipoR1; AdipoR2; CREST proteins; NHR-49; PAQR; SBP-1; adiponectin; cold adaptation; desaturases; membrane fluidity.