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

反义转录物（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。然后，我们构建了一个文库来表达与mRNA互补的转录本。将该文库喂给线虫，使其在线虫体内表达asrna，然后观察线虫在发育或生育力方面的表型变化。事实上，线虫的发育迟缓或不育被观察到。因此，该方法可为对参与发育的asRNAs进行功能分析提供基础。

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.