Genetic Studies of Gene Silencing in Drosophila

RNA干扰（RNAi）是一种通过双链RNA控制基因表达的天然机制。双链触发物的同源信使RNA被酶促破坏。该机制提供了针对病毒和转座因子动员的内源性保护。细胞凋亡涉及细胞死亡，并参与正常的发育过程。在初步实验中，发现细胞死亡会导致邻近细胞中RNAi的抑制。假设来自垂死细胞的信号引起这种抑制。为了深入了解细胞死亡信号抑制RNAi的机制，该项目将涉及果蝇中的诱变，以鉴定通过白色眼睛颜色基因的RNAi抑制沉默的突变。所鉴定的突变将用于试图理解通过细胞死亡信号传导抑制RNAi的分子机制。通过绘制基因图谱和从基因组序列中确定预测的基因，修饰基因的收集将提供有关所涉及的分子过程的信息。细胞死亡是一个与发育有关的自然过程，其抑制可导致癌症。RNA干扰也是一种基因沉默的自然过程，可以作为对病毒的保护。发现细胞死亡抑制相邻扇区中的RNA干扰过程。 如果病毒感染克服了RNAi的第一道防线并杀死了细胞，这种相互作用可能就是这种情况。垂死的细胞可能会向其邻居发送信号，以诱导更有效的抗病毒机制，与RNA干扰过程竞争。本项目将研究这种相互作用的机制。该研究项目还将有助于指导一名博士后研究员，并将参与科学研究的本科生介绍给他们。

RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural mechanism involved with the control of gene expression that operates via double stranded RNA. Homologous messenger RNAs to the double stranded trigger are enzymatically destroyed. This mechanism provides an endogenous protection against viruses and transposable element mobilization. Apoptosis involves cell death and is involved with normal developmental processes. In preliminary experiments, it was found that cell death would cause inhibition of RNAi in adjacent cells. It is hypothesized that signals from the dying cells cause this inhibition. In order to gain insight into the mechanism of inhibition of RNAi by cell death signaling, this project will involve a mutagenesis in Drosophila to identify mutations that modify the inhibition of silencing via RNAi of the white eye color gene. The mutations identified will be used in an attempt to understand the molecular mechanism of inhibition of RNAi by cell death signaling. By mapping the genes and determining the predicted genes from the genomic sequence, the collection of modifier genes will provide information about the molecular processes involved.Cell death is a natural process involved with development and its inhibition can lead to cancer. RNA interference is also a natural process of gene silencing that can serve as a protection against viruses. Cell death was found to inhibit the process of RNA interference in adjacent sectors. This interaction might be the case if a viral infection overcomes the first line of defense of RNAi and kills a cell. The dying cell might send signals to its neighbors to induce more potent antiviral mechanisms that compete with the RNA interference process. This project will investigate the mechanism of this interaction. The research project will also contribute to the mentoring of a postdoctoral fellow and introduce the undergraduates involved to scientific research.