Knockdown of actin and caspase gene expression by RNA interference in the symbiotic anemone Aiptasia pallida.
Since the discovery of the ancient eukaryotic process of RNA-mediated gene silencing, the reverse-genetics technique RNA interference (RNAi) has increasingly been used to examine gene function in vertebrate and invertebrate systems. In this study, we report on the use of RNAi, adapted from studies on animal model systems, to manipulate gene expression in a symbiotic marine cnidarian. We describe gene knockdown of actin and of acasp--a cysteine protease, or caspase--in the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia pallida. Knockdown was assessed qualitatively with in situ hybridizations for both genes. Quantitative PCR and caspase activity assays were used as a quantitative measure of knockdown for acasp.
Dunn
Simon R
SR
Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA. dunns@science.oregonstate.edu
Phillips
Wendy S
WS
Green
Douglas R
DR
Weis
Virginia M
VM
D000199:Actins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D020169:Caspases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D034622:RNA Interference; D012615:Sea Anemones / Q000378:metabolism*; D013559:Symbiosis
D000199:Actins; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D020169:Caspases