Diversification of small RNA pathways underlies germline RNA interference incompetence in wild Caenorhabditis elegans strains.

ABSTRACT: The discovery that experimental delivery of dsRNA can induce gene silencing at target genes revolutionized genetics research, by both uncovering essential biological processes and creating new tools for developmental geneticists. However, the efficacy of exogenous RNA interference (RNAi) varies dramatically within the Caenorhabditis elegans natural population, raising questions about our understanding of RNAi in the lab relative to its activity and significance in nature. Here, we investigate why some wild strains fail to mount a robust RNAi response to germline targets. We observe diversity in mechanism: in some strains, the response is stochastic, either on or off among individuals, while in others, the response is consistent but delayed. Increased activity of the Argonaute PPW-1, which

SUBMITTER: Chou HT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10763538 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature