34th Annual Student Research Conference
The Interaction of hmp-2 and sma-1 in the Embryonic Epidermis of Caenorhabditis elegans
Sydney S. Wieberg
Dr. Stephanie Maiden, Faculty Mentor
Knockdown of the hmp-2 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans has been shown to affect epithelial cell adhesion during embryonic development and lead to embryonic lethality and body elongation defects. Another gene, sma-1, encodes a protein that forms the apically localized spectrin cytoskeleton in the epidermis. The sma-1(ru18) allele is also known to cause body elongation defects. DIC microscopy was used to observe the phenotypic effects of hmp-2 knockdown in sma-1(ru18) mutants after initial observations showed an increase in embryonic lethality. Phenotypes seen in sma-1(ru18) mutants included rounded heads and non-humpback characteristics; Phenotypes in hmp-2(RNAi) include humpback characteristics and tapered heads; The combination of sma-1(ru18) mutant and hmp-2(RNAi) knockdown resulted in ventral enclosure defects that resulted in humpback characteristics and tapered heads. Identifying genetic interactions like this one will help with better understanding of epithelial tissue development.
Keywords: C. elegans, embryogenesis , genetics, proteins
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Asynchronous Virtual Poster
Session: 4-14
Location: https://flipgrid.com/7ba08930
Time: 0:00