Uncovering Buffered Pleiotropy: A Genome-Scale Screen for mel-28 Genetic Interactors in Caenorhabditis elegans

摘要

(maternal-effect-lethal-28) encodes a conserved protein required for nuclear envelope function and chromosome segregation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Because is a strict maternal-effect lethal gene, its function is required in the early embryo but appears to be dispensable for larval development. We wanted to test the idea that has postembryonic roles that are buffered by the contributions of other genes. To find genes that act coordinately with , we did an RNA interference−based genetic interaction screen using and wild-type larvae. We screened 18,364 clones and identified 65 genes that cause sterility in but not wild-type worms. Some of these genes encode components of the nuclear pore. In addition we identified genes involved in dynein and dynactin function, vesicle transport, and cell-matrix attachments. By screening larvae we have bypassed the requirement for in the embryo, uncovering pleiotropic functions for later in development that are normally provided by other genes. This work contributes toward revealing the gene networks that underlie cellular processes and reveals roles for a maternal-effect lethal gene later in development.