RNAi screen for novel components in Caenorhabditis elegans ovulation and fertility.

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dc.contributor.advisorLee, Myeongwoo.
dc.contributor.authorMiles, Jonathan P.
dc.contributor.departmentBiomedical Studies.en
dc.contributor.otherBaylor University. Institute of Biomedical Studies.en
dc.date.accessioned2010-02-02T19:59:00Z
dc.date.available2010-02-02T19:59:00Z
dc.date.copyright2009-12
dc.date.issued2010-02-02T19:59:00Z
dc.description.abstractThe intercellular and intracellular signaling pathways elucidated through research on the nematode C. elegans provide valuable information on the communication systems throughout all organisms. Through the use of RNA interference (RNAi), it is possible to discover additional genes that may play roles in signaling pathways. The inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) signaling pathway maintains the basal and ovulatory contractions of the sheath cells in all C. elegans organisms. Utilizing an RNAi feeding protocol to knock down expression of genes, some 155 genes capable of causing sterility in wild-type C. elegans were identified. Focusing on these contractions of the sheath cells through control of the IP₃ signaling pathway, a mutant C. elegans for the IP₃ receptor, itr-1(sy290), was used. The ITR-1 receptor, located on the endoplasmic reticulum, normally allows for the release of calcium ions when IP₃ binds, and is constitutively active in the itr-1(sy290) mutant worm. The mutant itr-1(sy290) worms maintain higher concentrations of cytoplasmic calcium, which resulted in a rescue of the sterility seen in the wild-type worms in this study. Due to the potential for pleiotropic effects of many of these sterility causing genes, we looked for known components of the IP₃ signaling pathway (eg. plc-3) and at their sterility scores, as well as the scores most comparable to these known components. This reduced the gene pool down to 24 significant genes. Examination of these genes reveals a wider communication network necessary for proper ovulation in C. elegans.en
dc.description.degreePh.D.en
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Jonathan P. Miles.en
dc.format.extent71483 bytes
dc.format.extent2695296 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2104/5529
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.rightsBaylor University theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact librarywebmaster@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.en
dc.rights.accessrightsWorldwide accessen
dc.rights.accessrightsAccess changed 10/5/12
dc.subjectC. elegans.en
dc.subjectInositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate signaling.en
dc.subjectRNAi.en
dc.titleRNAi screen for novel components in Caenorhabditis elegans ovulation and fertility.en
dc.typeThesisen

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