title: Uncovering buffered pleiotropy: a genome-scale screen for mel-28 genetic interactors in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: mel-28 (maternal-effect-lethal-28) encodes a conserved protein required for nuclear envelope function and chromosome segregation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Because mel-28 is a strict maternal-effect lethal gene, its function is required in the early embryo but appears to be dispensable for larval development. We wanted to test the idea that mel-28 has postembryonic roles that are buffered by the contributions of other genes. To find genes that act coordinately with mel-28, we did an RNA interference-based genetic interaction screen using mel-28 and wild-type larvae. We screened 18,364 clones and identified 65 genes that cause sterility in mel-28 but not wild-type worms. Some of these genes encode components of the nuclear pore. In addition we identified genes involved in dynein and dynactin function, vesicle transport, and cell-matrix attachments. By screening mel-28 larvae we have bypassed the requirement for mel-28 in the embryo, uncovering pleiotropic functions for mel-28 later in development that are normally provided by other genes. This work contributes toward revealing the gene networks that underlie cellular processes and reveals roles for a maternal-effect lethal gene later in development.
authors.affiliation: Fairfield University Biology Department, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824.
authors.forename: Anita G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Emily K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Mis
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quental
authors.forename: Carly
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004398:Dyneins / Q000378:metabolism; D058685:Genetic Pleiotropy; D016678:Genome; D006579:Heterozygote; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022022:Nuclear Pore / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D034622:RNA Interference; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C514979:mel-28 protein, C elegans; D004398:Dyneins
keywords: C. elegans; germline; gonad; mel-28; synthetic sterility