Genomic Identification and Functional Characterization of Essential Genes in Caenorhabditis Elegans

Genomic Identification and Functional Characterization of Essential Genes in Caenorhabditis Elegans PDF Author: Zhaozhao Qin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
For over 30 years, researchers have taken advantage of genetic balancers and forward genetic screens to isolate lethal mutations, which have been studied to identify essential genes in C. elegans. Using traditional genetic methods, such as genetic mapping, complementation tests, and transgenic rescue assays, many essential genes have been successfully identified. However, to pinpoint a specific essential gene the involved experiments are usually labor intensive and time consuming. Nowadays, genetic methods combined with whole genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis provide an effective approach for the molecular identification of essential genes. In my thesis I successfully identified 64 new essential genes with 107 lethal mutations in genomic regions of C. elegans of around 14 Mb from Chromosome III(mid) and Chromosome V(left), by combining genetic mapping, Illumina sequencing, bioinformatics analyses, and experimental validation. Most of these genes have multiple recovered mutant alleles. Of these 64 genes 5 have new alleles identified, which had not been previously studied by RNA interference depletion. Furthermore, by investigating the locations of lethal missense mutations in essential genes, I have identified five novel protein functional domains. Functional characterization of the identified essential genes shows that most of them are enzymes, including helicases, tRNA synthetase, and kinases. There are also ribosomal proteins. Gene Ontology functional annotation also indicates that essential genes tend to execute enzyme and nucleic acid binding activities during fundamental processes, such as intracellular protein synthesis. Essential gene analysis shows that compared to non-essential genes, essential genes have fewer paralogs, and encode proteins that are in protein interaction hubs. Essential genes are also more abundantly and consistently expressed over all developmental stages than non-essential genes. All these essential genes traits in C. elegans are consistent with those of human disease genes. Unsurprisingly, most (90%) human orthologs of essential genes in this study are related to human diseases. Therefore, functional characterization of essential genes underlines their importance as proxies for understanding the biological functions of human disease genes.

Genomic Identification and Functional Characterization of Essential Genes in Caenorhabditis Elegans

Genomic Identification and Functional Characterization of Essential Genes in Caenorhabditis Elegans PDF Author: Zhaozhao Qin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
For over 30 years, researchers have taken advantage of genetic balancers and forward genetic screens to isolate lethal mutations, which have been studied to identify essential genes in C. elegans. Using traditional genetic methods, such as genetic mapping, complementation tests, and transgenic rescue assays, many essential genes have been successfully identified. However, to pinpoint a specific essential gene the involved experiments are usually labor intensive and time consuming. Nowadays, genetic methods combined with whole genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis provide an effective approach for the molecular identification of essential genes. In my thesis I successfully identified 64 new essential genes with 107 lethal mutations in genomic regions of C. elegans of around 14 Mb from Chromosome III(mid) and Chromosome V(left), by combining genetic mapping, Illumina sequencing, bioinformatics analyses, and experimental validation. Most of these genes have multiple recovered mutant alleles. Of these 64 genes 5 have new alleles identified, which had not been previously studied by RNA interference depletion. Furthermore, by investigating the locations of lethal missense mutations in essential genes, I have identified five novel protein functional domains. Functional characterization of the identified essential genes shows that most of them are enzymes, including helicases, tRNA synthetase, and kinases. There are also ribosomal proteins. Gene Ontology functional annotation also indicates that essential genes tend to execute enzyme and nucleic acid binding activities during fundamental processes, such as intracellular protein synthesis. Essential gene analysis shows that compared to non-essential genes, essential genes have fewer paralogs, and encode proteins that are in protein interaction hubs. Essential genes are also more abundantly and consistently expressed over all developmental stages than non-essential genes. All these essential genes traits in C. elegans are consistent with those of human disease genes. Unsurprisingly, most (90%) human orthologs of essential genes in this study are related to human diseases. Therefore, functional characterization of essential genes underlines their importance as proxies for understanding the biological functions of human disease genes.

C. elegans

C. elegans PDF Author: Ian A. Hope
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 019159198X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
Caenorhabditis Elegans has been a popular model organism for biological research for over thirty years and has been used to investigate many aspects of animal development, for example apoptosis, the Hox genes, signal transduction pathways, and the development of the nervous system. It has recently taken on new importance with the publication of the entire genome sequence in 1998. The first chapter gives all the basic information on C. elegans required to use it: it's natural history, anatomy, life cycle, development, and evolution. Information on how to obtain, grow, and maintain C. elegans for use as a model system is given in Chapter 4. Chapters 2 and 3 describe the genome project and show how to use genome sequence information by searching the database for homologues using different search methods and then how to analyse the search data. The next chapter gives the essential practical details of transformation and common uses for the technique. Chapter 6 covers reverse genetics and describes strategies for gene inactivation that are known to work in C elegans: epigenetic inactivation and mutational germ line inactivation. Chapter 7 is designed to help the user analyse phenotype by microscopy and includes Normaski, fluorescence, 4-dimensional, and electron microscopy. Techniques for studying the neurobiology of C. elegans are given in chapter 8. Chapter 9 describes the three commonly used approaches for studying gene expression and Chapter 10 deals with the common methods of molecular biology essential for gene characterization. C. elegans is not the ideal organism for biochemical studies, but chapter 11 describes several procedures for producing biochemically useful quantities of pure tissues. The final chapter is about conventional genetics and details the standard procedures for selfing and crossing; mutagenesis and mutant screening; characterization of mutants; gene mapping; temperature-shift experiments and mosaic analysis. Caenorhabditis Elegans: A Practical Approach will therefore provide all the background information necessary for use of C. elegans as a model system.

Essential Genes and Genomes

Essential Genes and Genomes PDF Author: Ren Zhang
Publisher: Humana
ISBN: 9781071617229
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book provides state-of-the-art information on gene essentiality screenings in a wide variety of organisms, i.e. screening for protein-coding genes and other genomic elements that are required by an organism to survive under specific conditions. With a focus on the two techniques that have revolutionized the field, the collection begins with chapters employing CRISPR/Cas9-based approaches followed by Tn-seq-based approaches, but later chapters also delve into other techniques for exploring essential genes, such as bioinformatics methods. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and authoritative, Essential Genes and Genomes: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for researchers attempting to strip genetics down to its fundamentals.

Genetic and Functional Characterization of Caenorhabditis Elegans Srf-3, a Gene Involved in Regulating Surface Antigenicity

Genetic and Functional Characterization of Caenorhabditis Elegans Srf-3, a Gene Involved in Regulating Surface Antigenicity PDF Author: Jörg Höflich
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description


The Identification and Characterization of Novel Basic Helix-loop-helix Proteins in Caenorhabditis Elegans

The Identification and Characterization of Novel Basic Helix-loop-helix Proteins in Caenorhabditis Elegans PDF Author: Tracee Lynn McMiller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Genetics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors regulate the expression of genes required for various aspects of normal development in eukaryotes. bHLH proteins contain a DNA-binding domain that is highly conserved among proteins from different organisms, yet possessing similar structure and function. A database search of the Caenorhabditis elegans genome identified forty-six C. elegans genes each containing a putative bHLH domain, many with significant homology to other bHLH genes with confirmed functions in development. This thesis largely covers previously undescribed C. elegans genes with bHLH domains that are significantly homologous to members of the Achaete-Scute, Hairy-related/Enhancer of Split, and Atonal-related subfamilies that primarily regulate neurogenesis [C17C3.8 (hlh-26) and F31A3.4 (hlh-29)], and one bHLH gene [F38C2.2 (hlh-17)] whose transcript is significantly homologous to Beta3, a regulator of insulin expression. -- Abstract.

Germline Stem Cells

Germline Stem Cells PDF Author: Steven X. Hou
Publisher: Humana Press
ISBN: 9781617378805
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In this comprehensive and cutting-edge book, leading experts explore the parameters that define germline stem cells and the mechanisms that regulate the cell behavior in order to better isolate, characterize and maintain them. The volume begins by providing protocols for germline stem cell identification and regulation in model organisms, and concludes with detailed chapters covering current techniques involving in vitro culture and the applications of the cells.

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309070864
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description
Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment reviews advances made during the last 10-15 years in fields such as developmental biology, molecular biology, and genetics. It describes a novel approach for how these advances might be used in combination with existing methodologies to further the understanding of mechanisms of developmental toxicity, to improve the assessment of chemicals for their ability to cause developmental toxicity, and to improve risk assessment for developmental defects. For example, based on the recent advances, even the smallest, simplest laboratory animals such as the fruit fly, roundworm, and zebrafish might be able to serve as developmental toxicological models for human biological systems. Use of such organisms might allow for rapid and inexpensive testing of large numbers of chemicals for their potential to cause developmental toxicity; presently, there are little or no developmental toxicity data available for the majority of natural and manufactured chemicals in use. This new approach to developmental toxicology and risk assessment will require simultaneous research on several fronts by experts from multiple scientific disciplines, including developmental toxicologists, developmental biologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians.

Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome

Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309038405
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
There is growing enthusiasm in the scientific community about the prospect of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a monumental project that will have far-reaching consequences for medicine, biology, technology, and other fields. But how will such an effort be organized and funded? How will we develop the new technologies that are needed? What new legal, social, and ethical questions will be raised? Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome is a blueprint for this proposed project. The authors offer a highly readable explanation of the technical aspects of genetic mapping and sequencing, and they recommend specific interim and long-range research goals, organizational strategies, and funding levels. They also outline some of the legal and social questions that might arise and urge their early consideration by policymakers.

Gene Essentiality

Gene Essentiality PDF Author: Long Jason Lu
Publisher: Humana
ISBN: 9781493948628
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This volume opens by covering two main types of approaches widely used to determine essential genes: single-gene knockouts and transposon mutagenesis, in both prokaryotes and Candida albicans. Given the significant advancement in the computational predictions of microbial essential genes, the second half of the book examines four main types of approaches: comparative genomics, supervised machine learning, constraint-based methods, and corrections of transposon mutagenesis data, as well as databases and servers that are often used in studying gene essentiality. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include an introduction to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Gene Essentiality: Methods and Protocols will aid researchers who wish to further our knowledge in this vital field of study.

Characterization of Two C. Elegans Homologuses of Oncogenic Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) and Identification of Interacting Genes

Characterization of Two C. Elegans Homologuses of Oncogenic Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) and Identification of Interacting Genes PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Although there is now a phenomenal quantity of sequence data available, biological function has only been assigned to a small percentage of predicted genes in any metazoan. Understanding how genetic information relates to biological function at the level not only of a single gene but of an entire genome is thus a key problem. One approach is to analyse loss-of-function phenotypes of every predicted gene and thus attempt to draw both global and particular conclusions about the relationship between gene sequence, predicted protein product and function in the organism. This is the approach that I have been pursuing for the last 2 years in the nematode worm, C. elegans. We have generated a reagent that uses RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to individually inhibit -90% of all -19,000 predicted genes in the C. elegans genome simply by feeding dsRNA-expressing bacteria to worms. This technique is both efficient and technically easy, so a single person can analyse loss-of-function phenotypes of up to 1000 genes in a single day for minimal cost; in addition, the reagent can be used an indefinite number of times. In essence, most genetic screens in C. elegans that could hitherto be carried out using standard forward genetics can now be carried out using our RNAi reagent, which has the advantage that any detected phenotype is automatically related to gene sequence, obviating the need for positional cloning.