Molecular genetic study of vulval development in nematodes C. elegans and C. briggsae

线虫 C. elegans 和 C. briggsae 外阴发育的分子遗传学研究

• 批准号: 293182-2009
• 负责人: Gupta, Bhagwati
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=514714
• 关键词: Molecular; genetic; study; vulval; development

Much of the morphological diversity in eukaryotes results from differences in the pattern of gene expression and function. Biological research has shown that such variations are ultimately attributed to mutations in DNA that are found to occur spontaneously at slow rate in nature. Alterations in DNA sequences impact at two levels. First, they can change the structure of proteins thereby influencing the formation of protein complexes, and second, they can affect gene expression by varying crucial nucleotides recognized by regulatory proteins. Thus, understanding how changes in DNA are linked to phenotypic variations is a fascinating problem in modern biology. This proposal describes a series of experiments to address these questions. We will use the free-living tiny worms (nematodes) Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae that are roughly 1 millimeter long and composed of fewer than 1000 cells. In spite of millions of years of separation these animals share many genes with human and other organisms. This makes them an ideal model for understanding phenomena that occur in all eukaryotes.

真核生物的许多形态多样性是由基因表达和功能模式的差异造成的。生物学研究表明，这种变异最终归因于DNA的突变，这些突变在自然界中以缓慢的速度自发发生。DNA序列的改变在两个层面上产生影响。首先，它们可以改变蛋白质的结构，从而影响蛋白质复合物的形成，其次，它们可以通过改变调节蛋白识别的关键核苷酸来影响基因表达。因此，理解DNA的变化如何与表型变异相联系是现代生物学中一个迷人的问题。该提案描述了一系列实验来解决这些问题。我们将使用自由生活的微小蠕虫（线虫）秀丽隐杆线虫和C。Briggsae大约1毫米长，由少于1000个细胞组成。尽管数百万年的分离，这些动物与人类和其他生物体共享许多基因。这使它们成为理解所有真核生物中发生的现象的理想模型。