In PNAS this week, researchers at Stanford's School of Medicine elucidate the roles of Gqα signaling in C. elegans' regulation of immunity, oxidative stress, and longevity. A signaling module formed by Gqα and its downstream signal transducer phospholipase C β can affect these processes, the authors say. As a result of losing its Gqα and PLCβ functions, C. elegans becomes increasingly sensitive to pathogens and oxidative stress.