The Experts below are selected from a list of 2016 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Dee R. Denver - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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mitochondrial dna variation and selfish propagation following experimental bottlenecking in two distantly related Caenorhabditis Briggsae isolates
Genes, 2020Co-Authors: Josiah Tad Wagner, Suzanne Estes, Dana K. Howe, Dee R. DenverAbstract:Understanding mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) evolution and inheritance has broad implications for animal speciation and human disease models. However, few natural models exist that can simultaneously represent mtDNA transmission bias, mutation, and copy number variation. Certain isolates of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae harbor large, naturally-occurring mtDNA deletions of several hundred basepairs affecting the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nduo-5) gene that can be functionally detrimental. These deletion variants can behave as selfish DNA elements under genetic drift conditions, but whether all of these large deletion variants are transmitted in the same preferential manner remains unclear. In addition, the degree to which transgenerational mtDNA evolution profiles are shared between isolates that differ in their propensity to accumulate the nduo-5 deletion is also unclear. We address these knowledge gaps by experimentally bottlenecking two isolates of C. Briggsae with different nduo-5 deletion frequencies for up to 50 generations and performing total DNA sequencing to identify mtDNA variation. We observed multiple mutation profile differences and similarities between C. Briggsae isolates, a potentially species-specific pattern of copy number dysregulation, and some evidence for genetic hitchhiking in the deletion-bearing isolate. Our results further support C. Briggsae as a practical model for characterizing naturally-occurring mtgenome variation and contribute to the understanding of how mtgenome variation persists in animal populations and how it presents in mitochondrial disease states.
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Paternal mitochondrial transmission in intra-species Caenorhabditis Briggsae hybrids
Molecular biology and evolution, 2016Co-Authors: Joseph A. Ross, Dee R. Denver, Dana K. Howe, Anna L. Coleman-hulbert, Suzanne EstesAbstract:To study mitochondrial–nuclear genetic interactions in the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae, our three laboratories independently created 38 intra-species cytoplasmic–nuclear hybrid (cybrid) lines. Although the cross design combines maternal mitotypes with paternal nuclear genotypes, eight lines (21%) unexpectedly contained paternal mitotypes. All eight share in common ancestry of one of two genetically related strains. This unexpected parallel observation of paternal mitochondrial transmission, undesirable given our intent of creating cybrids, provides a serendipitous experimental model and framework to study the molecular and evolutionary basis of uniparental mitochondrial inheritance.
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selfish mitochondrial dna proliferates and diversifies in small but not large experimental populations of Caenorhabditis Briggsae
Genome Biology and Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Wendy S Phillips, Suzanne Estes, Sita Ping, Dana K. Howe, Anna L Colemanhulbert, Emily S Weiss, Riana I Wernick, Dee R. DenverAbstract:Evolutionary interactions across levels of biological organization contribute to a variety of fundamental processes including genome evolution, reproductive mode transitions, species diversification, and extinction. Evolutionary theory predicts that so-called “selfish” genetic elements will proliferate when the host effective population size (Ne) is small, but direct tests of this prediction remain few. We analyzed the evolutionary dynamics of deletion-containing mitochondrial DNA (ΔmtDNA) molecules, previously characterized as selfish elements, in six different natural strains of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae allowed to undergo experimental evolution in a range of population sizes (N = 1, 10, 100, and 1,000) for a maximum of 50 generations. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was analyzed for replicate lineages at each five-generation time point. Ten different ΔmtDNA molecule types were observed and characterized across generations in the experimental populations. Consistent with predictions from evolutionary theory, lab lines evolved in small-population sizes (e.g., nematode N = 1) were more susceptible to accumulation of high levels of preexisting ΔmtDNA compared with those evolved in larger populations. New ΔmtDNA elements were observed to increase in frequency and persist across time points, but almost exclusively at small population sizes. In some cases, ΔmtDNA levels decreased across generations when population size was large (nematode N = 1,000). Different natural strains of C. Briggsae varied in their susceptibilities to ΔmtDNA accumulation, owing in part to preexisting compensatory mtDNA alleles in some strains that prevent deletion formation. This analysis directly demonstrates that the evolutionary trajectories of ΔmtDNA elements depend upon the population-genetic environments and molecular-genetic features of their hosts.
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Natural variation in Caenorhabditis Briggsae mitochondrial form and function suggests a novel model of organelle dynamics
Mitochondrion, 2012Co-Authors: Kiley Ann Hicks, Dee R. Denver, Suzanne EstesAbstract:Mitochondrial functioning and morphology are known to be connected through cycles of organelle fusion and fission that depend upon the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM); however, we lack an understanding of the features and dynamics of natural mitochondrial populations. Using data from our recent study of univariate mitochondrial phenotypic variation in Caenorhabditis Briggsae nematodes, we analyzed patterns of phenotypic correlation for 24 mitochondrial traits. Our findings support a role for ΔΨM in shaping mitochondrial dynamics, but no role for mitochondrial ROS. Further, our study suggests a novel model of mitochondrial population dynamics dependent upon cellular environmental context and with implications for mitochondrial genome integrity.
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In Vivo Quantification Reveals Extensive Natural Variation in Mitochondrial Form and Function in Caenorhabditis Briggsae
PloS one, 2012Co-Authors: Kiley Ann Hicks, Dee R. Denver, Dana K. Howe, Aubrey Leung, Suzanne EstesAbstract:We have analyzed natural variation in mitochondrial form and function among a set of Caenorhabditis Briggsae isolates known to harbor mitochondrial DNA structural variation in the form of a heteroplasmic nad5 gene deletion (nad5Δ) that correlates negatively with organismal fitness. We performed in vivo quantification of 24 mitochondrial phenotypes including reactive oxygen species level, membrane potential, and aspects of organelle morphology, and observed significant among-isolate variation in 18 traits. Although several mitochondrial phenotypes were non-linearly associated with nad5Δ levels, most of the among-isolate phenotypic variation could be accounted for by phylogeographic clade membership. In particular, isolate-specific mitochondrial membrane potential was an excellent predictor of clade membership. We interpret this result in light of recent evidence for local adaptation to temperature in C. Briggsae. Analysis of mitochondrial-nuclear hybrid strains provided support for both mtDNA and nuclear genetic variation as drivers of natural mitochondrial phenotype variation. This study demonstrates that multicellular eukaryotic species are capable of extensive natural variation in organellar phenotypes and highlights the potential of integrating evolutionary and cell biology perspectives.
Ronald E. Ellis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dependence of the sperm oocyte decision on the nucleosome remodeling factor complex was acquired during recent Caenorhabditis Briggsae evolution
Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2014Co-Authors: Xiangmei Chen, Yongquan Shen, Ronald E. EllisAbstract:The major families of chromatin remodelers have been conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. Because they play broad, pleiotropic roles in gene regulation, it was not known if their functions could change rapidly. Here, we show that major alterations in the use of chromatin remodelers are possible, because the nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF) complex has acquired a unique role in the sperm/oocyte decision of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae. First, lowering the activity of C. Briggsae NURF-1 or ISW-1, the core components of the NURF complex, causes germ cells to become oocytes rather than sperm. This observation is based on the analysis of weak alleles and null mutations that were induced with TALENs and on RNA interference. Second, qRT–polymerase chain reaction data show that the C. Briggsae NURF complex promotes the expression of Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3, two genes that control the sperm/oocyte decision. This regulation occurs in the third larval stage and affects the expression of later spermatogenesis genes. Third, double mutants reveal that the NURF complex and the transcription factor TRA-1 act independently on Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. TRA-1 binds both promoters, and computer analyses predict that these binding sites are buried in nucleosomes, so we suggest that the NURF complex alters chromatin structure to allow TRA-1 access to Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. Finally, lowering NURF activity by mutation or RNA interference does not affect this trait in other nematodes, including the sister species C. nigoni, so it must have evolved recently. We conclude that altered chromatin remodeling could play an important role in evolutionary change.
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Dependence of the Sperm/Oocyte Decision on the Nucleosome Remodeling Factor Complex Was Acquired during Recent Caenorhabditis Briggsae Evolution
Molecular biology and evolution, 2014Co-Authors: Xiangmei Chen, Yongquan Shen, Ronald E. EllisAbstract:The major families of chromatin remodelers have been conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. Because they play broad, pleiotropic roles in gene regulation, it was not known if their functions could change rapidly. Here, we show that major alterations in the use of chromatin remodelers are possible, because the nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF) complex has acquired a unique role in the sperm/oocyte decision of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae. First, lowering the activity of C. Briggsae NURF-1 or ISW-1, the core components of the NURF complex, causes germ cells to become oocytes rather than sperm. This observation is based on the analysis of weak alleles and null mutations that were induced with TALENs and on RNA interference. Second, qRT–polymerase chain reaction data show that the C. Briggsae NURF complex promotes the expression of Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3, two genes that control the sperm/oocyte decision. This regulation occurs in the third larval stage and affects the expression of later spermatogenesis genes. Third, double mutants reveal that the NURF complex and the transcription factor TRA-1 act independently on Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. TRA-1 binds both promoters, and computer analyses predict that these binding sites are buried in nucleosomes, so we suggest that the NURF complex alters chromatin structure to allow TRA-1 access to Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. Finally, lowering NURF activity by mutation or RNA interference does not affect this trait in other nematodes, including the sister species C. nigoni, so it must have evolved recently. We conclude that altered chromatin remodeling could play an important role in evolutionary change.
Xiangmei Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dependence of the sperm oocyte decision on the nucleosome remodeling factor complex was acquired during recent Caenorhabditis Briggsae evolution
Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2014Co-Authors: Xiangmei Chen, Yongquan Shen, Ronald E. EllisAbstract:The major families of chromatin remodelers have been conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. Because they play broad, pleiotropic roles in gene regulation, it was not known if their functions could change rapidly. Here, we show that major alterations in the use of chromatin remodelers are possible, because the nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF) complex has acquired a unique role in the sperm/oocyte decision of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae. First, lowering the activity of C. Briggsae NURF-1 or ISW-1, the core components of the NURF complex, causes germ cells to become oocytes rather than sperm. This observation is based on the analysis of weak alleles and null mutations that were induced with TALENs and on RNA interference. Second, qRT–polymerase chain reaction data show that the C. Briggsae NURF complex promotes the expression of Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3, two genes that control the sperm/oocyte decision. This regulation occurs in the third larval stage and affects the expression of later spermatogenesis genes. Third, double mutants reveal that the NURF complex and the transcription factor TRA-1 act independently on Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. TRA-1 binds both promoters, and computer analyses predict that these binding sites are buried in nucleosomes, so we suggest that the NURF complex alters chromatin structure to allow TRA-1 access to Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. Finally, lowering NURF activity by mutation or RNA interference does not affect this trait in other nematodes, including the sister species C. nigoni, so it must have evolved recently. We conclude that altered chromatin remodeling could play an important role in evolutionary change.
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Dependence of the Sperm/Oocyte Decision on the Nucleosome Remodeling Factor Complex Was Acquired during Recent Caenorhabditis Briggsae Evolution
Molecular biology and evolution, 2014Co-Authors: Xiangmei Chen, Yongquan Shen, Ronald E. EllisAbstract:The major families of chromatin remodelers have been conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. Because they play broad, pleiotropic roles in gene regulation, it was not known if their functions could change rapidly. Here, we show that major alterations in the use of chromatin remodelers are possible, because the nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF) complex has acquired a unique role in the sperm/oocyte decision of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae. First, lowering the activity of C. Briggsae NURF-1 or ISW-1, the core components of the NURF complex, causes germ cells to become oocytes rather than sperm. This observation is based on the analysis of weak alleles and null mutations that were induced with TALENs and on RNA interference. Second, qRT–polymerase chain reaction data show that the C. Briggsae NURF complex promotes the expression of Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3, two genes that control the sperm/oocyte decision. This regulation occurs in the third larval stage and affects the expression of later spermatogenesis genes. Third, double mutants reveal that the NURF complex and the transcription factor TRA-1 act independently on Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. TRA-1 binds both promoters, and computer analyses predict that these binding sites are buried in nucleosomes, so we suggest that the NURF complex alters chromatin structure to allow TRA-1 access to Cbr-fog-1 and Cbr-fog-3. Finally, lowering NURF activity by mutation or RNA interference does not affect this trait in other nematodes, including the sister species C. nigoni, so it must have evolved recently. We conclude that altered chromatin remodeling could play an important role in evolutionary change.
Suzanne Estes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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mitochondrial dna variation and selfish propagation following experimental bottlenecking in two distantly related Caenorhabditis Briggsae isolates
Genes, 2020Co-Authors: Josiah Tad Wagner, Suzanne Estes, Dana K. Howe, Dee R. DenverAbstract:Understanding mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) evolution and inheritance has broad implications for animal speciation and human disease models. However, few natural models exist that can simultaneously represent mtDNA transmission bias, mutation, and copy number variation. Certain isolates of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae harbor large, naturally-occurring mtDNA deletions of several hundred basepairs affecting the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nduo-5) gene that can be functionally detrimental. These deletion variants can behave as selfish DNA elements under genetic drift conditions, but whether all of these large deletion variants are transmitted in the same preferential manner remains unclear. In addition, the degree to which transgenerational mtDNA evolution profiles are shared between isolates that differ in their propensity to accumulate the nduo-5 deletion is also unclear. We address these knowledge gaps by experimentally bottlenecking two isolates of C. Briggsae with different nduo-5 deletion frequencies for up to 50 generations and performing total DNA sequencing to identify mtDNA variation. We observed multiple mutation profile differences and similarities between C. Briggsae isolates, a potentially species-specific pattern of copy number dysregulation, and some evidence for genetic hitchhiking in the deletion-bearing isolate. Our results further support C. Briggsae as a practical model for characterizing naturally-occurring mtgenome variation and contribute to the understanding of how mtgenome variation persists in animal populations and how it presents in mitochondrial disease states.
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Paternal mitochondrial transmission in intra-species Caenorhabditis Briggsae hybrids
Molecular biology and evolution, 2016Co-Authors: Joseph A. Ross, Dee R. Denver, Dana K. Howe, Anna L. Coleman-hulbert, Suzanne EstesAbstract:To study mitochondrial–nuclear genetic interactions in the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae, our three laboratories independently created 38 intra-species cytoplasmic–nuclear hybrid (cybrid) lines. Although the cross design combines maternal mitotypes with paternal nuclear genotypes, eight lines (21%) unexpectedly contained paternal mitotypes. All eight share in common ancestry of one of two genetically related strains. This unexpected parallel observation of paternal mitochondrial transmission, undesirable given our intent of creating cybrids, provides a serendipitous experimental model and framework to study the molecular and evolutionary basis of uniparental mitochondrial inheritance.
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selfish mitochondrial dna proliferates and diversifies in small but not large experimental populations of Caenorhabditis Briggsae
Genome Biology and Evolution, 2015Co-Authors: Wendy S Phillips, Suzanne Estes, Sita Ping, Dana K. Howe, Anna L Colemanhulbert, Emily S Weiss, Riana I Wernick, Dee R. DenverAbstract:Evolutionary interactions across levels of biological organization contribute to a variety of fundamental processes including genome evolution, reproductive mode transitions, species diversification, and extinction. Evolutionary theory predicts that so-called “selfish” genetic elements will proliferate when the host effective population size (Ne) is small, but direct tests of this prediction remain few. We analyzed the evolutionary dynamics of deletion-containing mitochondrial DNA (ΔmtDNA) molecules, previously characterized as selfish elements, in six different natural strains of the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae allowed to undergo experimental evolution in a range of population sizes (N = 1, 10, 100, and 1,000) for a maximum of 50 generations. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was analyzed for replicate lineages at each five-generation time point. Ten different ΔmtDNA molecule types were observed and characterized across generations in the experimental populations. Consistent with predictions from evolutionary theory, lab lines evolved in small-population sizes (e.g., nematode N = 1) were more susceptible to accumulation of high levels of preexisting ΔmtDNA compared with those evolved in larger populations. New ΔmtDNA elements were observed to increase in frequency and persist across time points, but almost exclusively at small population sizes. In some cases, ΔmtDNA levels decreased across generations when population size was large (nematode N = 1,000). Different natural strains of C. Briggsae varied in their susceptibilities to ΔmtDNA accumulation, owing in part to preexisting compensatory mtDNA alleles in some strains that prevent deletion formation. This analysis directly demonstrates that the evolutionary trajectories of ΔmtDNA elements depend upon the population-genetic environments and molecular-genetic features of their hosts.
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Natural variation in Caenorhabditis Briggsae mitochondrial form and function suggests a novel model of organelle dynamics
Mitochondrion, 2012Co-Authors: Kiley Ann Hicks, Dee R. Denver, Suzanne EstesAbstract:Mitochondrial functioning and morphology are known to be connected through cycles of organelle fusion and fission that depend upon the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM); however, we lack an understanding of the features and dynamics of natural mitochondrial populations. Using data from our recent study of univariate mitochondrial phenotypic variation in Caenorhabditis Briggsae nematodes, we analyzed patterns of phenotypic correlation for 24 mitochondrial traits. Our findings support a role for ΔΨM in shaping mitochondrial dynamics, but no role for mitochondrial ROS. Further, our study suggests a novel model of mitochondrial population dynamics dependent upon cellular environmental context and with implications for mitochondrial genome integrity.
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In Vivo Quantification Reveals Extensive Natural Variation in Mitochondrial Form and Function in Caenorhabditis Briggsae
PloS one, 2012Co-Authors: Kiley Ann Hicks, Dee R. Denver, Dana K. Howe, Aubrey Leung, Suzanne EstesAbstract:We have analyzed natural variation in mitochondrial form and function among a set of Caenorhabditis Briggsae isolates known to harbor mitochondrial DNA structural variation in the form of a heteroplasmic nad5 gene deletion (nad5Δ) that correlates negatively with organismal fitness. We performed in vivo quantification of 24 mitochondrial phenotypes including reactive oxygen species level, membrane potential, and aspects of organelle morphology, and observed significant among-isolate variation in 18 traits. Although several mitochondrial phenotypes were non-linearly associated with nad5Δ levels, most of the among-isolate phenotypic variation could be accounted for by phylogeographic clade membership. In particular, isolate-specific mitochondrial membrane potential was an excellent predictor of clade membership. We interpret this result in light of recent evidence for local adaptation to temperature in C. Briggsae. Analysis of mitochondrial-nuclear hybrid strains provided support for both mtDNA and nuclear genetic variation as drivers of natural mitochondrial phenotype variation. This study demonstrates that multicellular eukaryotic species are capable of extensive natural variation in organellar phenotypes and highlights the potential of integrating evolutionary and cell biology perspectives.
Bhagwati P. Gupta - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Genome editing in the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.
Biology methods & protocols, 2020Co-Authors: Elizabeth Culp, Cory Richman, Devika Sharanya, Nikita Jhaveri, Wouter Van Den Berg, Bhagwati P. GuptaAbstract:The CRISPR/Cas system has recently emerged as a powerful tool to engineer the genome of an organism. The system is adopted from bacteria where it confers immunity against invading foreign DNA. This work reports the first successful use of the CRISPR/Cas system in Caenorhabditis Briggsae (a cousin of the well-known nematode C. elegans), to generate mutations via non-homologous end joining. We recovered deletion alleles of several conserved genes by microinjecting plasmids that express Cas9 endonuclease and an engineered CRISPR RNA corresponding to the DNA sequence to be cleaved. Evidence for somatic mutations and off-target mutations are also reported. Our approach allows for the generation of loss-of-function mutations in C. Briggsae genes thereby facilitating a comparative study of gene function.
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genome editing in the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae using the crispr cas9 system
Biology Methods and Protocols, 2020Co-Authors: Elizabeth Culp, Cory Richman, Devika Sharanya, Nikita Jhaveri, Wouter Van Den Berg, Bhagwati P. GuptaAbstract:The CRISPR/Cas system has recently emerged as a powerful tool to engineer the genome of an organism. The system is adopted from bacteria where it confers immunity against invading foreign DNA. This work reports the first successful use of the CRISPR/Cas system in Caenorhabditis Briggsae (a cousin of the well-known nematode C. elegans), to generate mutations via non-homologous end joining. We recovered deletion alleles of several conserved genes by microinjecting plasmids that express Cas9 endonuclease and an engineered CRISPR RNA corresponding to the DNA sequence to be cleaved. Evidence for somatic mutations and off-target mutations are also reported. Our approach allows for the generation of loss-of-function mutations in C. Briggsae genes thereby facilitating a comparative study of gene function.
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Genome Editing in Caenorhabditis Briggsae using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
2015Co-Authors: Elizabeth Culp, Cory Richman, Devika Sharanya, Bhagwati P. GuptaAbstract:The CRISPR/Cas9 system is an efficient technique for generating targeted alterations in an organism's genome. Here we describe a methodology for using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate mutations via non-homologous end joining in the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae, a sister species of C. elegans. Evidence for somatic mutations and off-target mutations are also reported. The use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in C. Briggsae will greatly facilitate comparative studies to C. elegans.
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genome editing in Caenorhabditis Briggsae using the crispr cas9 system
bioRxiv, 2015Co-Authors: Elizabeth Culp, Cory Richman, Devika Sharanya, Bhagwati P. GuptaAbstract:The CRISPR/Cas9 system is an efficient technique for generating targeted alterations in an organism's genome. Here we describe a methodology for using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate mutations via non-homologous end joining in the nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae, a sister species of C. elegans. Evidence for somatic mutations and off-target mutations are also reported. The use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in C. Briggsae will greatly facilitate comparative studies to C. elegans.
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Genetic control of vulval development in Caenorhabditis Briggsae.
G3 (Bethesda Md.), 2012Co-Authors: Devika Sharanya, Bavithra Thillainathan, Sujatha Marri, Nagagireesh Bojanala, Jon Taylor, Stephane Flibotte, Donald G. Moerman, Robert H. Waterston, Bhagwati P. GuptaAbstract:The nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae is an excellent model organism for the comparative analysis of gene function and developmental mechanisms. To study the evolutionary conservation and divergence of genetic pathways mediating vulva formation, we screened for mutations in C. Briggsae that cause the egg-laying defective (Egl) phenotype. Here, we report the characterization of 13 genes, including three that are orthologs of Caenorhabditis elegans unc-84 (SUN domain), lin-39 (Dfd/Scr-related homeobox), and lin-11 (LIM homeobox). Based on the morphology and cell fate changes, the mutants were placed into four different categories. Class 1 animals have normal-looking vulva and vulva-uterine connections, indicating defects in other components of the egg-laying system. Class 2 animals frequently lack some or all of the vulval precursor cells (VPCs) due to defects in the migration of P-cell nuclei into the ventral hypodermal region. Class 3 animals show inappropriate fusion of VPCs to the hypodermal syncytium, leading to a reduced number of vulval progeny. Finally, class 4 animals exhibit abnormal vulval invagination and morphology. Interestingly, we did not find mutations that affect VPC induction and fates. Our work is the first study involving the characterization of genes in C. Briggsae vulva formation, and it offers a basis for future investigations of these genes in C. elegans.
