The Localization of RNA Helicase A in the Caenorhabditis Elegans Hermaphrodite Using Immunocytochemisty
Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Walstrom, Katherine
Keywords
C. elegans, RHA Helicase Germline Development, Soma-Germline Interactions
Area of Concentration
Biology
Abstract
Molecular and genetic defects in germline development are the cause of many infertility cases but remain poorly understood. Elucidation of emerging germline processes such as posttranscriptional regulation and soma-germline communication will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of germline disease and may lead to the development of more effective infertility therapies. The analysis of germline development can be facilitated by the characterization of proteins that regulate germline processes. RNA Helicase A (RHA) is a highly conserved protein with homologs in the human, mouse, bovine, Drosophila, and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) where it has been associated with germline development. Previous studies suggest that in C. elegans, the involvement of RHA-1 in the regulation of germline development may be related to its ability to process RNA. Based on this, it has been postulated that in C. elegans RHA-1 could be involved in the posttranscriptional regulation. In order to gain further insight into the nature of RHA-1 and its role in the regulation of germline development, the location of RHA-1 within the C. elegans hermaphrodite was determined using immunocytochemical techniques. The results of this investigation demonstrate that RHA-1 is located in the sheath cells of the C. elegans somatic gonad. This finding leads to the speculation that RHA-1 may be involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of germline RNAs from a location within the somatic gonad.
Recommended Citation
Gallo, Katherine Cory, "The Localization of RNA Helicase A in the Caenorhabditis Elegans Hermaphrodite Using Immunocytochemisty" (2004). Theses & ETDs. 3379.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3379
Rights
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