title: Transcription in nematodes: early Ascaris embryos are transcriptionally active.
abstract: In this report we analyze early zygotic gene expression in the parasitic nematode Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum. Using synchronous populations of early embryonic stages, nuclei were isolated, and in vitro run-off transcription assays were performed. We find transcriptional activity as early as the 4- to 8-cell stage. The percentage of RNA polymerase II activity, as measured in these assays, is greater than 80% of the total transcription at the 60-cell stage. Furthermore, we show that a specific transcript (actin) can be identified in all early stages tested.
authors: Department of Microbiology, University of Missouri-Columbia 65212.
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Cleavinger
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: McDowell
authors: K L
authors: KL
authors: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000546:Amanitins / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001200:Ascaris / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015342:DNA Probes; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015053:Zygote / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000546:Amanitins; D015342:DNA Probes; D012313:RNA; D012319:RNA Polymerase II