Functional genomic analysis of RNA interference in C. elegans.
RNA interference (RNAi) of target genes is triggered by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) processed by conserved nucleases and accessory factors. To identify the genetic components required for RNAi, we performed a genome-wide screen using an engineered RNAi sensor strain of Caenorhabditis elegans. The RNAi screen identified 90 genes. These included Piwi/PAZ proteins, DEAH helicases, RNA binding/processing factors, chromatin-associated factors, DNA recombination proteins, nuclear import/export factors, and 11 known components of the RNAi machinery. We demonstrate that some of these genes are also required for germline and somatic transgene silencing. Moreover, the physical interactions among these potential RNAi factors suggest links to other RNA-dependent gene regulatory pathways.
Kim
John K
JK
Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Gabel
Harrison W
HW
Kamath
Ravi S
RS
Tewari
Muneesh
M
Pasquinelli
Amy
A
Rual
Jean-François
JF
Kennedy
Scott
S
Dybbs
Michael
M
Bertin
Nicolas
N
Kaplan
Joshua M
JM
Vidal
Marc
M
Ruvkun
Gary
G
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015723:Gene Library; D020868:Gene Silencing; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D016678:Genome; D023281:Genomics; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D034622:RNA Interference; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics; D019076:Transgenes
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D018510:RNA, Helminth