C. Elegans
C. Elegans. Purpose of the Lab. To learn about DNA Inject DNA into living organisms in an attempt to have the offspring express the traits Stop gene silencing OVERALL: Develop a mechanism to put genes into the germline of the organism so they are passed down (successful transformation).
C. Elegans
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Presentation Transcript
Purpose of the Lab • To learn about DNA • Inject DNA into living organisms in an attempt to have the offspring express the traits • Stop gene silencing • OVERALL: Develop a mechanism to put genes into the germline of the organism so they are passed down (successful transformation)
Background • Dr. Mello • DNA • Homologous Recombination • Flanking Sequences • Extra-Chromosomal Arrays • DNA Silencing • Plasmids • C. Elegans • Body Structure • Germline/genome
Dr. Craig Mello • Nobel Prize for RNAi • Attempting to reinsert genes into their locus, and have them expressed in later generations
DNA • 4 bases • Double stranded • Genetic material • Genes • Chromosomes • DNA replication • Genome
Homologous Recombination • Meiosis • DNA fixes itself • Double Stranded break • Takes the DNA from the sister chromosome to fix itself • Ends up with recombined DNA • Gene targeting
Flanking Sequence • Short sequences that surround the gene of interest • Usually do not code for anything • Used in homologous recombination to determine the area to be copied • Match on each chromosome • Used to insert gene of interest
Extra-Chromosomal Arrays • DNA which exists outside the common chromosomes • Usually not integrated into DNA • Prone to gene silencing • Not stable • Injected plasmid is copied at a high number, need low copy number to pass on to offspring
DNA Silencing • RNAi silences • Used to protect DNA from viral infections • Protect DNA for outside influences • Usually stops multi-copy • Stops extra-chromosomal arrays from incorporating into DNA permanently
Plasmids • Used to inject wanted gene into the organism • Contains gene of interest, flanking sequences, selectable marker, counter-selectable marker • Used in homologous recombination
C. Elegans • Nematode worm • Simple body structure • Reproduce quickly • Similar chromosomes to humans • DNA easily injected into adult worm’s germline • Can be mass produced
Genome/germ-line • Inject DNA into gonads • Where the sperm/ovaries are located • Where the DNA will come from for children • 2 arms in C. Elegans, with a turn
Procedure • Create the plasmid containing the gene of interest and the transposase which will cause the DNA to break • Inject into about 50 worms to ensure some success • Let the worms reproduce, checking each generation • If successful, the later generations should express the gene of interest
DNA Injection • Movie
Transposons • Movie
Transposase • Moves transposons from one area on the genome to another • Can be cancerous • Binds to the end of transposons and facilitates their “jumps” • Injected with the plasmid • Causes double stranded breaks • Allows the gene of interest to be taken from the plasmid
Plasmid fixes DNA • Double stranded break due to the injected transposase • DNA seeks to repair itself • Plasmid has the same flanking sequence as the gene that “jumped” • Homologous Recombination
Glh-2 • Used to express the Mos transposase • Expressed naturally in C. Elegans at all stages of life • Germ-line specific • Along with Glh-1 required for normal germline development • Recognized by the cell so not silenced
MosSci (Mos Mediated Single Copy Insertion) • In C. Elegans, Mos genes have been inserted throughout the DNA, but they express no characteristics • Inject Mos transposase to make it “jump” • Know the flanking sequence, so able to match gene of interest to locus • Less chance of silencing (No extra-chromosomal arrays) • Expressed under glh-2 promoter • Used in unc-119 rescue (no RFP)
Unc-119 • Needed for proper development of the nervous system • Paralyzed worms (marker) • Neuronal gene (less likely to be silenced than a germline gene) • Start with unc strain and then rescue with plasmid, those that move contain gene of interest
RFP/GFP • Found in jellyfish • Seen through UV microscope • Injected into worm to mark it • Those that express also express gene of interest • Same plasmid and in same sequence
Rollers • http://130.15.90.245/movies/C.%20elegans%20Roller%20Mutant.mov • Injected with DNA with makes their bodies uncoordinated • Roll around their axis • Helically twisted body • Used as a marker, those that express have gene of interest
Heat Shock • 34ºC • Enhances expression down stream • Instead of glh-2 (takes a week longer) • Helps the proteins fold at a higher temp • Plasmids assemble • Inject 10, grow 1000 offspring • Too much heat, worms paralyzed (Twk)
Counter-Selectable Vector • Outside the gene • Example: avr15 • Worms injected with plasmid that codes to be Ivermectin prone • Worms were previously immune to ivermectin • Placed on plate, those that die have incorporated DNA that was not wanted, but the majority should not uptake any as it is now with the gene of interest
Ivermectin • Used to kill nematodes • Used to test counter-selectable vectors • Used as gene of interest to test the ability to knock out proteins • If the worm lacks three genes, avr15, avr14 and glc-1, then it is immune • Perfect for lab environment • Not perfect in wild
Transformation • Uptake of foreign DNA • Leads to the change in genetic information passed down to offspring • Difficult for the genes not to be silenced • Does not usually succeed • Change in genetic information expressed
Ribosomal Gene • Drosphilia family • 50 nucleotides long • Used as a selectable marker (inside the gene, don’t need expression) • Small enough not to interfere with the gene
MicroRNA • No marker is needed for the insertion of the gene of interest • Needs to be a very small selectable marker • Tiny RNA --> functions via RNAi pathway • 21 nucleotides (gene = 300-400 nucleotides) • Used so it doesn’t interfere with gene expression
Restriction Enzyme • ISCF1 has a long recognition sequence which is rare • Cut flank region of interest • Cuts double stranded DNA • Defense against viruses • Used for DNA modification
Zinc Finger Nuclease • Lab generated restriction enzymes • Zinc finger DNA-binding domain which is fused to the cleavage domain of the FokI restriction endonuclease • Target specific DNA sequences • Recognize any sequence • Specialize to target any part of the gnome • Downfall: need to engineer different nuclease for each gene