A tetracycline-dependent ribozyme switch allows conditional induction of gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans represents an important research model. Convenient methods for conditional induction of gene expression in this organism are not available. Here we describe tetracycline-dependent ribozymes as versatile RNA-based genetic switches in C. elegans. Ribozyme insertion into the 3'-UTR converts any gene of interest into a tetracycline-inducible gene allowing temporal and, by using tissue-selective promoters, spatial control of expression in all developmental stages of the worm. Using the ribozyme switches we established inducible C. elegans polyglutamine Huntington's disease models exhibiting ligand-controlled polyQ-huntingtin expression, inclusion body formation, and toxicity. Our approach circumvents the complicated expression of regulatory proteins. Moreover

SUBMITTER: Wurmthaler LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6353947 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature