Transgene-mediated cosuppression and RNA interference enhance germ-line apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: Introduction of multiple copies of a germ-line-expressed gene elicits silencing of the corresponding endogenous gene during Caenorhabditis elegans oogenesis; this process is referred to as germ-line cosuppression. Transformed plasmids assemble into extrachromosomal arrays resembling extra minichromosomes with repetitive structures. Loss of the transgene extrachromosomal array leads to reversion of the silencing phenomenon. Cosuppression and RNAi depend upon some of the same genes. In the C. elegans germ line, about half the cells undergo a physiological programmed cell death that shares most genetic requirements with somatic apoptosis. In addition, apoptosis is stimulated by DNA damage and synaptic failure mediated through different apoptotic checkpoints. We found that both germ-line cosup

SUBMITTER: Adamo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3295272 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature