title: Genetic analysis of IP3 and calcium signalling pathways in C. elegans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans is an established model system that is particularly well suited to genetic analysis. C. elegans is easily manipulated and we have an in depth knowledge of many aspects of its biology. Thus, it is an attractive system in which to pursue integrated studies of signalling pathways. C. elegans has a complement of calcium signalling molecules similar to that of other animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  We focus on IP3 signalling. We describe how forward and reverse genetic approaches, including RNAi, have resulted in a tool kit which enables the analysis of IP3/Ca2+ signalling pathways. The importance of cell and tissue specific manipulation of signalling pathways and the use of epistasis analysis are highlighted. We discuss how these tools have increased our understanding of IP3 signalling in specific developmental, physiological and behavioural roles. Approaches to imaging calcium signals in C. elegans are considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A wide selection of tools is available for the analysis of IP3/Ca2+ signalling in C. elegans. This has resulted in detailed descriptions of the function of IP3/Ca2+ signalling in the animal's biology. Nevertheless many questions about how IP3 signalling regulates specific processes remain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many of the approaches described may be applied to other calcium signalling systems. C. elegans offers the opportunity to dissect pathways, perform integrated studies and to test the importance of the properties of calcium signalling molecules to whole animal function, thus illuminating the function of calcium signalling in animals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemical, biophysical and genetic approaches to intracellular calcium signalling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. hab28@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Howard A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Baylis
authors.forename: Rafael P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Manrique
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007295:Inositol Phosphates / Q000502:physiology*; D016296:Mutagenesis; D010641:Phenotype; D060066:Protein Interaction Maps; D034622:RNA Interference; D059386:Reverse Genetics
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D007295:Inositol Phosphates; C118500:inositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate