Functional genomic analysis of C. elegans chromosome I by systematic RNA interference

Andrew G. Fraser, Ravi S. Kamath, Peder Zipperlen, Maruxa Martinez-Campos, Marc Sohrmann and Julie Ahringer ()
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Andrew G. Fraser: Wellcome/CRC Institute, University of Cambridge
Ravi S. Kamath: Wellcome/CRC Institute, University of Cambridge
Peder Zipperlen: Wellcome/CRC Institute, University of Cambridge
Maruxa Martinez-Campos: Wellcome/CRC Institute, University of Cambridge
Marc Sohrmann: The Sanger Centre, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus
Julie Ahringer: Wellcome/CRC Institute, University of Cambridge

Nature, 2000, vol. 408, issue 6810, 325-330

Abstract: Abstract Complete genomic sequence is known for two multicellular eukaryotes, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster , and it will soon be known for humans. However, biological function has been assigned to only a small proportion of the predicted genes in any animal. Here we have used RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to target nearly 90% of predicted genes on C. elegans chromosome I by feeding worms with bacteria that express double-stranded RNA. We have assigned function to 13.9% of the genes analysed, increasing the number of sequenced genes with known phenotypes on chromosome I from 70 to 378. Although most genes with sterile or embryonic lethal RNAi phenotypes are involved in basal cell metabolism, many genes giving post-embryonic phenotypes have conserved sequences but unknown function. In addition, conserved genes are significantly more likely to have an RNAi phenotype than are genes with no conservation. We have constructed a reusable library of bacterial clones that will permit unlimited RNAi screens in the future; this should help develop a more complete view of the relationships between the genome, gene function and the environment.

Date: 2000
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DOI: 10.1038/35042517

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