A Study of RNA Helicase A Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans Using a rha-l-gfp Reporter
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Walstrom, Katherine
Keywords
RNA Helicase A, Fluorescence, GFP, C. elegans
Area of Concentration
Chemistry
Abstract
RNA helicase A (RHA) belongs to the DExH family of helicases and is implicated in the events of nucleic acid metabolism. Many studies are underway to determine the exact functions RHA performs in the cell and the importance of this protein to normal cell proliferation. It is a great advantage that this protein is ubiquitously expressed in a variety of lower organisms as it provides for easier modes of study. However, very little is known about RHA-l functions in C. elegans, an excellent model organism for biological research. To be able to utilize C. elegans in the study of the functions of RHA-1, an accurate reporter system is necessary. The goal of this project was to develop a GFP-containing reporter system. Once the reporter is constructed, it was then injected into the C. elegans germline to allow for the formation of an extrachromosomal array. To test the incorporation of the reporter into C. elegans, various tests were performed on the worms. Successful cloning of this new GFP-containing reporter into C. elegans should allow for easy detection of RHA-1 in vivo due to GFP fluorescence. This ultimately should allow for determination of RHA localization during different stages of the development of C. elegans. Our results indicated that even though a partially functional RHA-1 was present in the transgenic worms, RHA-1 could not be detected by GFP fluorescence. We concluded that further study is necessary to elucidate the reasons behind diminished RHA-1 function and how it can be augmented.
Recommended Citation
Samoilova, Eugenia, "A Study of RNA Helicase A Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans Using a rha-l-gfp Reporter" (2005). Theses & ETDs. 3574.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3574
Rights
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