Identification of genes that protect the C. elegans genome against mutations by genome-wide RNAi.
An RNA interference (RNAi)-based genome-wide screen was performed to detect genes that contribute to genome stability in somatic cells of Caenorhabditis elegans. We identified 61 such genes; these also affect spontaneous mutagenesis in the germ line. Their sequence suggests a role in DNA repair and/or replication, in chromatin remodeling, or in cell cycle control; there are also many novel genes that are highly conserved from yeast to human. Because known mutator genes are causally involved in many hereditary and sporadic human cancers, it is likely that some of these new mutators are equally relevant in cancer etiology.
Pothof
Joris
J
Hubrecht Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Genetics, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Haaften
Gijs
G
Thijssen
Karen
K
Kamath
Ravi S
RS
Fraser
Andrew G
AG
Ahringer
Julie
J
Plasterk
Ronald H A
RH
Tijsterman
Marcel
M
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000235:genetics; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D016678:Genome; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D034622:RNA Interference; D018510:RNA, Helminth; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D002843:Chromatin; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D018510:RNA, Helminth; C073904:unc-93 protein, C elegans