ascr#7

Ascr#7 is a small-molecule glycolipid pheromone secreted by Caenorhabditis elegans, belonging to the ascaroside family. These compounds are often referred to as "dauer pheromones" and serve as critical chemical signals regulating development, social behavior, and stress responses in nematodes. The expression of Ascr#7 is strongly dependent on diet and developmental stage. Its primary biological function is to induce the formation of long-lived and highly stress-resistant dauer larvae. This mechanism allows nematodes to arrest normal development and enter a specialized diapause state for survival during adverse environmental conditions such as food scarcity or high population density.