Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2007
Capstone Advisor
Dr. Eleanor Maine
Honors Reader
Dr. Melissa Pepling
Capstone Major
Biology
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Biology
Abstract
My research investigated the relationships among several transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional regulators in the C. elegans germ line. I examined the relationship between the rha-1 gene and three other regulatory genes, ego-1, glp-1 and csr-1. These genes function in germline proliferation and differentiation and are required for fertility. Because these genes regulate similar processes, we have investigated the relationships among them. The rha-1 gene encodes an RNA helicase that is required for germline development, chromatin regulation, and RNA interference (RNAi). The ego-1 gene encodes an RNA-directed RNA polymerase that is also required for these processes. Although many of the rha-1 and ego-1 defects are similar, the rha-1 null phenotype is temperature-sensitive (ts) whereas the ego-1 null phenotype is not. The glp-1 gene encodes a Notch-type receptor that receives an inductive signal from distal tip cell (DTC), which maintains germline proliferation. In the absence of GLP-1 signaling, germ cells that are normally mitotic instead enter meiosis and undergo gametogenesis. The csr-1 gene encodes an Argonaute-type RNA binding protein that is required for germline development and chromatin regulation. Mutations in ego-1 and csr-1 enhance the phenotype of a weak glp-1 mutation. We constructed double mutant strains carrying the rha-1 null allele and either a null allele of ego-1 or csr-1, or a ts allele of glp-1. Our data suggest that EGO-1 and RHA-1 proteins work together to regulate some aspects of development and in parallel to regulate others. Preliminary genetic data also suggest that CSR-1 and RHA-1 work together to regulate development, but act antagonistically to regulate oogenesis onset or a very early step in oogenesis. Additionally, our research suggests that RHA-1 does not regulate germline proliferation by promoting GLP-1 signaling. These findings have improved our understanding of how germline development is regulated in this model organism.
Recommended Citation
Wurz, Kaitlyn A., "Genetic Analysis of Germline Development in the Model Organism C. elegans" (2007). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 575.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/575
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