RNAi analysis of genes expressed in the ovary of Caenorhabditis elegans.
As a step towards comprehensive functional analysis of genomes, systematic gene knockout projects have been initiated in several organisms [1]. In metazoans like C. elegans, however, maternal contribution can mask the effects of gene knockouts on embryogenesis. RNA interference (RNAi) provides an alternative rapid approach to obtain loss-of-function information that can also reveal embryonic roles for the genes targeted [2,3]. We have used RNAi to analyze a random set of ovarian transcripts and have identified 81 genes with essential roles in embryogenesis. Surprisingly, none of them maps on the X chromosome. Of these 81 genes, 68 showed defects before the eight-cell stage and could be grouped into ten phenotypic classes. To archive and distribute these data we have developed a database system directly linked to the C. elegans database (Wormbase). We conclude that screening cDNA libraries by RNAi is an efficient way of obtaining in vivo function for a large group of genes. Furthermore, this approach is directly applicable to other organisms sensitive to RNAi and whose genomes have not yet been sequenced.
Piano
F
F
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. fp13@cornell.edu
Schetter
A J
AJ
Mangone
M
M
Stein
L
L
Kemphues
K J
KJ
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015723:Gene Library; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D009024:Morphogenesis; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
D015801:Helminth Proteins; D018510:RNA, Helminth