24th Annual Student Research Conference
Generation of a Transgenic Worm Strain that Expresses Enhanced GFP upon Heat Induction
Victor E. Adimoraegbu
Dr. Timothy D. Walston, Faculty Mentor
The nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent genetic model for exploring biological phenomena. C. elegans uses RNA interference (RNAi) as a gene regulation mechanism and antiviral defense system. Antiviral RNAi requires the gene drh-1, which encodes a unique RNA helicase. The mammalian counterpart of DRH-1, called RIG-I, is a cytosolic virus sensor used in immunity. Viral-derived small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) require DRH-1 for viral targeting. However, it is unknown whether DRH-1 is also required for non-viral RNA silencing mediated by viral siRNA. This study addresses this question by generating a drh-1 null mutant strain that expresses a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene that glows green upon heat induction via a promoter used by viral transgenes. Background mutations were removed from the transgenic strain by backcrossing followed by incorporation of the drh-1 null allele. A heat-inducible GFP transgenic drh-1 null mutant worm strain was generated.
Keywords: RNAi, Caenorhabditis elegans, Antiviral, Transgene, GFP, Backcrossing, heat-inducible, mutant
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 7-3
Location: MG 1098
Time: 8:30