A search for the antisense transcripts that affect higher-order life phenomena in nematodes

反义转录本(AsRNA)具有与其信使RNA(MRNA)互补的序列。在这项研究中，我们试图阐明asRNAs对线虫高阶生命现象的影响。我们证实，asRNAs是从Notch信号通路中的一个热休克因子基因和一个编码蛋白质的基因转录而来的。然后，我们构建了一个表达与mRNA互补的转录本的文库。用该文库饲养线虫，在线虫体内表达asRNAs，然后检测发育或育性的表型变化。事实上，观察到了线虫的发育迟缓或不育。因此，该方法可能为从功能上分析参与发育的asRNAs提供基础。

An antisense transcript (asRNA) has a sequence that is complementary to its messenger RNA (mRNA). In this study, we tried to clarify the effects of asRNAs on higher-order life phenomena in a nematode. We confirmed that asRNAs were transcribed from a heat shock factor gene and a gene encoding a protein in the Notch signaling pathway. Then, we constructed a library to express transcripts that were complementary to mRNA. Nematodes were fed with the library to express asRNAs inside of the nematodes, and then phenotypic changes in development or fertility were examined. Indeed, developmental retardation or sterility of the nematodes was observed. Therefore, this method may provide a basis to functionally analyze the asRNAs that are involved in development.