Modeling molecular and cellular aspects of human disease using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
Modeling molecular and cellular aspects of human disease using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
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DOI：
10.1203/pdr.0b013e31819009b0
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发表时间：
2009-01
影响因子：
3.6
通讯作者：
Pak SC
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Silverman GA;Luke CJ;Bhatia SR;Long OS;Vetica AC;Perlmutter DH;Pak SC
As an experimental system, Caenorhabditis elegans, offers a unique opportunity to interrogate in vivo the genetic and molecular functions of human disease-related genes. For example, C. elegans has provided crucial insights into fundamental biological processes such as cell death and cell fate determinations, as well as pathological processes such as neurodegeneration and microbial susceptibility. The C. elegans model has several distinct advantages including a completely sequenced genome that shares extensive homology with that of mammals, ease of cultivation and storage, a relatively short lifespan and techniques for generating null and transgenic animals. However, the ability to conduct unbiased forward and reverse genetic screens in C. elegans remains one of the most powerful experimental paradigms for discovering the biochemical pathways underlying human disease phenotypes. The identification of these pathways leads to a better understanding of the molecular interactions that perturb cellular physiology, and forms the foundation for designing mechanism-based therapies. To this end, the ability to process large numbers of isogenic animals through automated work stations suggests that C. elegans, manifesting different aspects of human disease phenotypes, will become the platform of choice for in vivo drug discovery and target validation using high-throughput/content screening technologies.
