Ebbs and Glows Quantifying Small RNA Concentrations in C. elegans

Richard Decal

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Walstrom, Katherine

Keywords

C. elegans, RT-q PCR RNA Helicase A, RHA-1, ER1-1 RNA interference

Area of Concentration

Chemistry

Abstract

The recent discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) has revolutionized our understanding of RNA biology and genetic regulation. Researchers have mounted an international effort to elucidate RNAi pathways in order to harness them for their therapeutic potential. Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism widely used to study RNAi, has distinct silencing pathways for interfering RNAs derived from endogenous and exogenous sources. Although the exogenous RNAi pathway has been largely mapped, endogenous RNAi pathways remain largely uncharacterized. In particular, RNA Helicase A (RHA-1) is an actor in endogenous RNAi whose function remains unknown. C. elegans deficient in RHA-1 exhibit a phenotype similar to animals deficient in ERI-1, a component of the endogenous 26G RNAi pathway. To test whether RHA-1 works in the 26G pathway, we measured changes in 26G interfering RNAs in worms deficient in RHA-1, ERI-1, and both RHA-1 and ERI-1. The preliminary data indicates that RHA-1 is not involved in 26G RNA biogenesis, but may be working further downstream in the pathway.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS