A combined approach exploring gene function based on worm-human orthology.
BACKGROUND
Many aspects of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans biology are conserved between invertebrates and vertebrates establishing this particular organism as an excellent genetic model. Because of its small size, large populations and self-fertilization of the hermaphrodite, functional predictions carried out by genetic modifications as well as RNAi screens, can be rapidly tested.


RESULTS
In order to explore the function of a set of C. elegans genes of unknown function, as well as their potential functional roles in the human genome, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to select the most probable worm orthologs. A total of 13 C. elegans genes were subjected to down-regulation via RNAi and characterization of expression profiles using GFP strains. Previously unknown distinct expression patterns were observed for four of the analyzed genes, as well as four visible RNAi phenotypes. In addition, subcellular protein over-expression profiles of the human orthologs for seven out of the thirteen genes using human cells were also analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
By combining a whole-organism approach using C. elegans with complementary experimental work done on human cell lines, this analysis extends currently available information on the selected set of genes.
Tamas
Ivica
I
Department of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Stockholm University, Sweden. ivica.tamas@molbio.su.se
Hodges
Emily
E
Dessi
Patrick
P
Johnsen
Robert
R
Vaz Gomes
Ana
A
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D034622:RNA Interference; D013045:Species Specificity
D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins