Physiology of vitamin B12: a study on its molecular mechanisms using a <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> model

Vitamin B12 (B12) is a water-soluble substance that is a member of the B-vitamin family. Its recommended daily dose in adult men and women is 2.4 µg, which is the lowest among the 13 vitamins. B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and neurological disorders. It is also associated with cognitive decline, growth retardation, infertility, and other symptoms. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanisms of which remain unclear. Caenorhabditis elegans is a small organism, with a length of approximately 1 mm and a lifespan of approximately 3 weeks. It has similar fundamental biological structures, such as the muscles, nervous system, and digestive tract, with mammals. Previous studies have shown that B12 is required for the normal development of C. elegans, similar to that of mammals. The current study aimed to perform a detailed investigation of the mechanisms underlying the development of B12 deficiency using a dietary B12-deficient C. elegans model.