Almeida MV et al. (2019) Noncoding RNA "Function and Evolution of Nematode RNAi Pathways."

Almeida MV, Andrade-Navarro MA, Ketting RF

[Noncoding RNA, 2019]

Selfish genetic elements, like transposable elements or viruses, are a threat to genomic stability. A variety of processes, including small RNA-based RNA interference (RNAi)-like pathways, has evolved to counteract these elements. Amongst these, endogenous small interfering RNA and Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathways were implicated in silencing selfish genetic elements in a variety of organisms. Nematodes have several incredibly specialized, rapidly evolving endogenous RNAi-like pathways serving such purposes. Here, we review recent research regarding the RNAi-like pathways of <i>Caenorhabditis</i><i>elegans</i> as well as those of other nematodes, to provide an evolutionary perspective. We argue that multiple nematode RNAi-like pathways share piRNA-like properties and together form a broad nematode toolkit that allows for silencing of foreign genetic elements.

White JG et al. (1996) Cell "Cleavage plane specification in C. elegans: how to divide the spoils."

Strome S, White JG

[Cell, 1996]

Anyone who has watched an early embryo develop cannot help but be awed by the choreography of the early cleavages. The orientation and timing of cleavage in an animal cell are always such that the cleavage furrow bisects the mitotic apparatus (MA) during telophase, thus ensuring the equal partitioning of daughter chromosomes. In addition, the regulation of cleavage plane orientation is necessary for correct partitioning of localized determinants to specific daughter cells, for optimal positioning of cells in developing embryos, and for morphogenesis in plants, which are not motile.

Ruvkun GB et al. (1998) Science "The taxonomy of developmental control in Caenorhabditis elegans."

Ruvkun GB, Hobert O

[Science, 1998]

The Caenorhabditis elegans genome sequence was surveyed for transcription factor and signaling gene families that have been shown to regulate development in a variety of species. About 10 to 25 percent of the genes in most of the gene families already have been genetically analyzed in C. elegans, about half of the genes detect probable orthologs in other species, and about 10 to 25 percent of the genes are, at present, unique to C. elegans. Caenorhabditis elegans is also missing genes that are found in vertebrates and other invertebrates. Thus the genome sequence reveals universals in developmental control that are the legacy of metazoan complexity before the Cambrian explosion, as well as genes that have been more recently invented or lost in particular phylogenetic lineages.AD - Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. ruvkun@frodo.mgh.harvard.eduFAU - Ruvkun, GAU - Ruvkun GFAU - Hobert, OAU - Hobert OLA - engPT - Journal ArticlePT - ReviewPT - Review, TutorialCY - UNITED STATESTA - ScienceJID - 0404511RN - 0 (Helminth Proteins)RN - 0 (Transcription Factors)SB - IM