The glucocorticoid receptor ligand-binding domain confers drug-gated protein regulation in C. elegans

Controlling protein activity and localization is a key tool in modern biology. Mammalian steroid receptor ligand-binding domains (LBDs) fusions have been used in a range of organisms and cell-types to inactivate proteins of interest until the cognate steroid ligand is applied. Here, we demonstrate that the glucocorticoid receptor LBD confers ligand-gated control of a heterologous gene expression system (Q system) and the DAF-16 transcription factor in C. elegans. These experiments demonstrate provide a powerful tool for temporal control of protein activity, and will bolster existing tools used to modulate gene expression and protein activity in this animal.