Dolinski C et al. (2008) Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz "Molecular and morphological characterization of heterorhabditid entomopathogenic nematodes from the tropical rainforest in Brazil."

Kamitani FL, Machado IR, Dolinski C, Winter CE

[Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 2008]

Despite massive losses of primary forest, the Amazonian rainforest remains an extremely rich source of biodiversity. In recent years, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been isolated from soil in various parts of the world and used successfully as biological control agents against numerous insect pests. Therefore, a sampling in the rainforest of Monte Negro, Rondonia, Brazil was conducted with the aim of discovering new strains and/or species of EPNs for future development as biological control agents. From 156 soil samples taken at nine collecting sites, 19 isolates were obtained, all of them belonging to the genus Heterorhabditis. Four strains were subjected to detailed morphological and molecular evaluation. Based on morphometrics and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data, the strains LPP1, LPP2 and LPP4 were identified as Heterorhabditis indica, whereas LPP7 was considered Heterorhabditis baujardi. Comparative analysis of the ITS1 sequence of H. indica and H. baujardi isolates showed a polymorphic site for the restriction enzyme Tth 111 that could be used to distinguish the two species. Consequently, strains LPP1, LPP2, LPP3, LPP4, and LPP9 were identified as H. indica, whereas LPP5, LPP7, LPP8 and LPP10 were identified as H. baujardi.

Masuda M et al. (2005) Biomed Chromatogr "An improved method for proteomics studies in C. elegans by fluorogenic derivatization, HPLC isolation, enzymatic digestion and liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometric identification."

Masuda M, Takamura N, Saimaru H, Imai K

[Biomed Chromatogr, 2005]

An improved method for proteomics studies, which includes the fl uorogenic derivertization of protein mixtures with 7-chloro-4-(dimethylaminoethylaminosulfonyl)-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (DAABD-Cl), followed by HPLC isolation, enzymatic digestion and ideti fi cation of the derivatized proteins by HPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS/MS with the probability-based protein identi fi cation algorithm, identi fi ed 103 proteins in the soluble extract (10 microg protein) of Caenorhabditis elegans. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Baird SE (1999) Nematology "Natural and experimental associations of Caenorhabditis remanei with Trachelipus rathkii and other terrestrial isopods."

Baird SE

[Nematology, 1999]

Caenorhabditis remanei was found in association with the terrestrial isopod Trachelipus rathkii at several wooded locations in southwestern Ohio. These associations were as developmentally arrested dauer larvae. The sites of association were the inner surfaces of the dorsal plates and ventral appendages. C. remanei associations also were observed with Armadillidium nasatum, Cylisticus convexus, and Porcellio scaber. They were not observed with Porcellio spinicornis even though Fl spinicornis populations were intermingled with infested populations of T. rathkii. Consistent with the observed natural associations, C. remanei dauers were experimentally able to infest T. rathkii and P. scaber. Dauer larvae responded to confinement with isopods by nictating and by climbing upon these potential hosts. Experimental infestations were able to persist for at least five days. Long-term infestations were not attempted.

Maeda I et al. (2001) Curr Biol "Large-scale analysis of gene function in Caenorhabditis elegans by high-throughput RNAi."

Maeda I, Sugimoto A, Kohara Y, Yamamoto M

[Curr Biol, 2001]

Genome-wide analysis of gene function is essential for the post-genome era, and development of efficient and economical technology suitable for it has been in demand. Here we report a large-scale inactivation of the expressed genes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, For this purpose, we have established a high-throughput "RNAi-by-soaking" methodology by modifying the conventional RNAi method [1, 2], A set of tag-sequenced, nonredundant cDNAs corresponding to approximately 10,000 genes [3] (representing half of the predicted genes [4]) was used for the systematic RNAi analysis. We have processed approximately 2500 genes to date. In development, 27% of them showed detectable phenotypes, such as embryonic lethality, postembryonic lethality, sterility, and morphological abnormality. Of these, we analyzed the phenotypes of Fl sterility in detail, and we have identified 24 genes that might play important roles in germline development. Combined with the ongoing analysis of expression patterns of these cDNAs [3, 5], the functional information obtained in this work will provide a starting point for the further analysis of each gene. Another finding from this screening is that the incidence of essential genes is significantly lower in the X chromosome than in the autosomes.