Systemic RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans.
RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans induced by ingestion or injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) spreads throughout the organism and is even transmitted to the progeny. We have identified two proteins required for spreading of RNAi, SID-1 and SID-2, whose structure, subcellular localization, and expression pattern have been informative for how dsRNA can be transported into and between cells. SID-1 is a transmembrane protein that functions as a pore or channel that transports dsRNA into and out of cells. Proteins homologous to SID-1 are present in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate animals but are absent from plants. SID-2 is a small transmembrane protein that is expressed in the gut and localizes strongly to the luminal membrane where it appears to act as a receptor for uptake of dsRNA from the environment. Characterization of SID-2 activity in a variety of Caenorhabditis nematodes indicates that C. elegans SID-2 may have a novel activity.
Hunter
C P
CP
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Winston
W M
WM
Molodowitch
C
C
Feinberg
E H
EH
Shih
J
J
Sutherlin
M
M
Wright
A J
AJ
Fitzgerald
M C
MC
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D034622:RNA Interference; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C452203:SID-1 protein, C elegans