A method for evaluating a test compound's ability to modulate prolyl 4-hydroxylase is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of introducing a test compound into a test chimeric, P4H-gene modified, or a wild-type nematode, wherein the test chimeric nematode has a complemented prolyl-4-hydroxylase gene mutation, and observing the effect of the test compound on the prolyl 4-hydroxylase activity of the progeny of the test chimeric, P4H-gene modified, or the wild-type nematode, wherein a dpy or embryonic lethal phenotype indicates prolyl-4-hydroxylase inhibition.