The DEAD-box protein MEL-46 is required in the germ line of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the hermaphrodite of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the first germ cells differentiate as sperm. Later the germ line switches to the production of oocytes. This process requires the activity of a genetic regulatory network that includes among others the fem, fog and mog genes. The function of some of these genes is germline specific while others also act in somatic tissues. DEAD box proteins have been shown to be involved in the control of gene expression at different steps such as transcription and pre-mRNA processing.

Results

We show that the Caenorhabditis elegans gene mel-46 (maternal effect lethal) encodes a DEAD box protein that is related to the mammalian DDX20/Gemin3/DP103 genes. mel-46 is expressed throughout development and mutations in mel-46 d

SUBMITTER: Minasaki R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2711086 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature