Sensitivity to dsRNA feeding, fertility, and X-Linked gene expression in wild type, rha-1(tm329), rde-2(ne211, rde-2;rha-1, and mut-7;rha-1 mutant worms
Date of Award
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Walstrom, Katherine
Keywords
RNAi, Heterochromatin, Caenorhabditis elegans
Area of Concentration
Biochemistry
Abstract
The RNA helicase A protein in Caenorhabditis elegans (RHA-1) has been found to be involved in RNA interference (RNAi) (Robert et al., 2005), a method of post-transcriptional gene silencing, and in heterochromatin formation (Walstrom et al., 2005), a regulation of transcriptional gene silencing. RDE-2 and MUT-7, two proteins observed to interact with each other (Tops et al., 2005), are also involved in the RNAi response and in silencing of transposons (Tabara et al., 1999; Ketting et al., 1999). To determine any interactions between RHA-1, RDE-2 and MUT-7 and their involvement in the RNAi and related pathways, rde-2;rha-1 and mut-7;rha-1 double mutants were observed for responsiveness to RNAi, X-linked gene expression, and fertility. RHA-1 was found to genetically interact with RDE- 2 and MUT-7 differently in all three of these areas. X-linked gene expression of the genes T08D2.3 and T08D2.4 was increased similarly in rde-2;rha-1 and rha-1(tm329) strains as compared to wild type, but was not in mut-7;rha-1 mutants. Fertility was increased in the rde-2;rha-1 double mutant over the single mutants, although still decreased as compared to wild type, but mut-7;rha-1 experienced a more severe infertile phenotype. rha-1(tm329) mutation increased somatic RNAi sensitivity when alone or in combination with an rde-2(ne211) mutation; however, the mut-7;rha-1 double mutant had decreased sensitivity to somatic RNAi as compared to wild type. RDE-2 and MUT-7 appear to have different functions in somatic RNAi, despite their physical interaction. These observations might imply that RDE-2 and MUT-7 act in opposition to one another, or have distinct roles in RNAi.
Recommended Citation
Hughes, Amanda, "Sensitivity to dsRNA feeding, fertility, and X-Linked gene expression in wild type, rha-1(tm329), rde-2(ne211, rde-2;rha-1, and mut-7;rha-1 mutant worms" (2007). Theses & ETDs. 3804.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3804
Rights
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