title: Functional genomic analysis of RNA interference in C. elegans.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Harrison W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Gabel
authors.forename: Ravi S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.forename: Muneesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tewari
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasquinelli
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Rual
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dybbs
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bertin
authors.forename: Joshua M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ruvkun
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D012322:RNA Precursors; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D018510:RNA, Helminth