SKIP is an indispensable factor for Caenorhabditis elegans development.
SKI-binding protein (SKIP) is a transcription cofactor present in all eukaryotes. Here we show that SKIP is a unique protein that is required for Caenorhabditis elegans viability and development. Expression of CeSKIP (skp-1) assayed by RT-PCR and by GFP fluorescence in transgenic lines starts in embryos and continues to adulthood. Loss of CeSKIP activity by RNA-mediated inhibition results in early embryonic arrest similar to that seen following inhibition of RNA polymerase II. RNA polymerase II phosphorylation appears normal early in CeSKIP RNA-mediated inhibition treated embryos although the expression of several embryonic GFP reporter genes is severely restricted or absent. Our data suggest that CeSKIP is an essential component of many RNA polymerase II transcription complexes and is indispensable for C. elegans development.
Kostrouchova
Marta
M
Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 128 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
Housa
Daniel
D
Kostrouch
Zdenek
Z
Saudek
Vladimir
V
Rall
Joseph Edward
JE
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012331:RNA, Fungal / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D043743:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012331:RNA, Fungal; D014157:Transcription Factors; C118999:bir-1 protein, C elegans; D043743:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes; C491763:skp-1 protein, C elegans; D012319:RNA Polymerase II