Journal
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Volume 31, Issue 2, Pages 468-473Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/molbev/mst213
Keywords
evolution; nematode; TALENs; model organism; C. briggsae
Funding
- National Institutes of Health [GM085282]
- National Science Foundation [1021128]
- Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems
- Direct For Biological Sciences [1021128] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Although evolutionary studies of gene function often rely on RNA interference, the ideal approach would use reverse genetics to create null mutations for cross-species comparisons and forward genetics to identify novel genes in each species. We have used transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) to facilitate both approaches in Caenorhabditis nematodes. First, by combining golden gate cloning and TALEN technology, we can induce frameshifting mutations in any gene. Second, by combining this approach with bioinformatics we can predict and create the resources needed for forward genetic analysis in species like Caenorhabditis briggsae. Although developing genetic model organisms used to require years to isolate marker mutations, balancers, and tools, with TALENs, these reagents can now be produced in months. Furthermore, the analysis of nonsense mutants in related model organisms allows a directed approach for making these markers and tools. When used together, these methods could simplify the adaptation of other organisms for forward and reverse genetics.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available