Genetics of postdauer developmental timing in C elegans

描述（由申请人提供）：不同组织之间以及生物体与环境之间细胞分裂和分化的协调时间是正常生长的关键方面。这些过程的控制是重要的，因为细胞分裂与生长控制信号无关是癌症的标志。异时基因在C.线虫在发育过程中控制细胞分裂和分化的相对时间。这些基因的突变导致某些细胞谱系省略或重复其发育程序的部分，从而导致各种异常组织。然而，许多这些基因的突变表型可以被抑制，如果幼虫发展通过一个替代途径称为“dauer”，在不利的条件下选择。这表明，一些以前的特点异时基因是postdauer发展，提出了什么基因控制postdauer幼虫的发育时间的问题。该项目的目标是识别和表征这些基因。具体目标1：进行遗传筛选，以分离发育时间滞后的突变体。具体目的2：在上述筛选中分离的基因的遗传分析。具体目标3：定位和克隆筛选中分离的突变体。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The coordinated timing of cell divisions and differentiation between different tissues and between the organism and the environment are critical aspects of normal growth. The control of these processes is important, as cell division irrespective of growth control signals is a hallmark of cancer. Heterochronic genes in C. elegans control the relative timing of cell divisions and differentiation during development. Mutations in these genes result in some cell lineages either omitting or reiterating parts of their developmental program, leading to a variety of abnormal tissues. However, the mutant phenotypes of many of these genes can be suppressed if larvae develop through an alternative pathway called "dauer", chosen in unfavorable conditions. This suggests that some previously characterized heterochronic genes are dispensable for postdauer development, raising the question of what genes control developmental timing in postdauer larvae. The objective of this project is to identify and characterize such genes. Specific Aim 1: To carry out genetic screens to isolate mutants defective in developmental timing postdauer. Specific Aim 2: Genetic analysis of genes isolated in the above screens. Specific Aim 3: To map and clone mutants isolated in the screens.