Identification of endogenous SID-1 ligands

RNAi（RNA干扰）是目前常用的下调相关基因功能的方法。在秀丽隐杆线虫中，人们已经知道dsRNAs可以从一个细胞传播到另一个细胞。这种现象被称为系统性RNAi， SID-1蛋白是系统性RNAi中摄取dsRNA所需的代表基因。我们搜索了与该现象相关的分子，发现在vps-45突变背景下动物对gon-1 RNAi具有抗性。GON-1蛋白是一种金属蛋白酶，是远端尖端细胞和体壁肌肉细胞分泌各种蛋白质所必需的。我们发现仅GON结构域对这种分泌很重要。

RNAi(RNA interference) is now a popular method to downregulate gene functions of interest. In C. elegans, it has been known that dsRNAs transmit from cells to other cells. This phenomenon is called as systemic RNAi and SID-1 protein is the representative gene that is required for dsRNA uptake in systemic RNAi. We searched for molecules involved in the phenomenon and found that animals are resistant to gon-1 RNAi in the vps-45 mutant background. GON-1 protein is a metalloprotease and necessary for secretion of various proteins from distal tip cells and body wall muscle cells. We found that GON domain alone is important for this secretion.