Project description:Natural genetic variation is the raw material of evolution and influences disease development and progression. To analyze the effect of the genetic background on protein expression in the nematode C. elegans (Caenorhabditis elegans), the two genetically highly divergent wild-type strains N2 (Bristol) and CB4856 (Hawaii) were compared quantitatively. In total, we quantified 3,238 unique proteins in three independent SILAC (stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture) experiments. The differentially expressed proteins were enriched for genes that function in insulin-signaling and stress response pathways.
Project description:We conducted an experiment on introgression lines of Caenorhabditis elegans derived from a NL5901 cross with three previously constructed CB4856>N2 ILs (WN268, WN269, and WN270). The tested ILs carry a combination of chromosome V introgressions and the alpha-synuclein trans-gene: CB4856>N2 / aS, CB4856>N2 / -, - / aS, and - / -. We grew synchronized populations of the nematodes (12 ILs, N2, CB4856, NL5901, and SCH4856) under normal conditions (20 degrees Celcius, feeding on Escherichia coli OP50) for 120 hours. This experiment was repeated three times. The goal of the experiment was to identify loci affecting gene expression in the presence of human alpha-synuclein
Project description:Recombinant inbred lines were created by crossing the alpha-synuclein containing Caenorhabditis elegans strains NL5901 and SCH4856. These strains contain the human alpha-synuclein gene fused to YFP and under the control of an unc-54 promotor (unc-54p::alpha-synnuclein::YFP) in an N2 and CB4856 genetic background, respectively. These two strains were used to generate a total of 212 recombinant inbred lines, of which 88 were genotyped by whole-genome sequencing using a MiSeq. These recombinant inbred lines can be used for mapping genetic modifiers affecting protein accumulation.
Project description:Background: Copy number variation is an important component of genetic variation in higher eukaryotes. The extent of natural copy number variation in C. elegans is unknown outside of 2 highly divergent wild isolates and the canonical N2 Bristol strain. Results: We have used array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to detect copy number variation in the genomes of 12 natural isolates of Caenorhabditis elegans. Deletions relative to the canonical N2 strain are more common in these isolates than duplications, and indels are enriched in multigene families on the autosome arms. Among the strains in our study, the Hawaiian and Madeiran strains (CB4856 and JU258) carry the largest number of deletions, followed by the Vancouver strain (KR314). Overall we detected 510 different deletions affecting 1136 genes, or over 5% of the genes in the canonical N2 genome. The indels we identified had a median length of 2.7 kb. Since many deletions are found in multiple isolates, deletion loci were used as markers to derive an unrooted tree to estimate genetic relatedness among the strains. Conclusion: Copy number variation is extensive in C. elegans, affecting over 5% of the genes in the genome. The deletions we have detected in natural isolates of C. elegans contribute significantly to the number of deletion alleles available to researchers. The relationships between strains are complex and different regions of the genome possess different genealogies due to recombination throughout the natural history of the species, which may not be apparent in studies utilizing smaller numbers of genetic markers.
Project description:We conducted a timeseries experiment on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) panel of Caenorhabditis elegans derived from a NL5901 x SCH4856 cross. These RILs carry a human alpha-synuclein gene in an N2 and a CB4856 genetic background respectively. We grew synchronized populations of the nematodes (70 RILs, N2, CB4856, NL5901, and SCH4856) under normal conditions (20 degrees Celcius, feeding on Escherichia coli OP50) for 120 hours. The goal of the experiment was to identify loci affecting gene expression in the presence of human alpha-synuclein
Project description:This experiment investigates the gene expression differences upon Orsay virus infection in the Caenorhabdits elegans strains N2 and CB4856. Assays measuring viral load found that the N2 strain displays higher viral loads upon infection than the CB4856 strain. The goal of the experiment was to identify gene-expression differences that could explain the differences in viral load. We (mock-)infected 26h-old C. elegans populations with Orsay virus and took samples after 30h of infection. For each treatment-strain combination 8 samples were collected. Thereafter RNA was isolated, labelled, and hybridized on microarray.
Project description:Investigation of whole genome gene expression level changes in early generation Caenorhabditis elegans Bristol N2 rsd-2 and Bristol N2 rsd-6 single mutants, compared to late-generation strains at 25°C and 20°C
Project description:This experiment investigates the temporal dynamics in gene expression upon Orsay virus infection in the nematode Ceanorhabditis elegans. Three different strains were infected: JU1580, N2, and CB4856. Of these, JU1580 is highly susceptible, N2 moderately susceptible, and CB4856 the most resistant strain. The goal of the experiment was to identify genes that show different expression dynamics over the time-course of the infection. We (mock-)infected 40h-old C. elegans populations with Orsay virus and took samples over a 32-hour spanning time-course. For each treatment-strain combination 12 samples were collected. Thereafter RNA was isolated, labelled, and hybridized on microarray. The gene-expression dynamics of previously identified genes (e.g. from literature and from a highly replicated N2 versus CB4856 experiment) were analyzed.
