Genomic Identification and Functional Characterization of Essential Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: Using combined genetic mapping, Illumina sequencing, bioinformatics analyses, and experimental validation, we identified 60 essential genes from 104 lethal mutations in two genomic regions of Caenorhabditis elegans totaling ∼14 Mb on chromosome III(mid) and chromosome V(left). Five of the 60 genes had not previously been shown to have lethal phenotypes by RNA interference depletion. By analyzing the regions around the lethal missense mutations, we identified four putative new protein functional domains. Furthermore, functional characterization of the identified essential genes shows that most are enzymes, including helicases, tRNA synthetases, and kinases in addition to ribosomal proteins. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that essential genes often encode for enzymes that conduct nu

SUBMITTER: Qin Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5844317 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature