The goal of this research is to understand the role of the pie-1 gene in the specification of the C. elegans germ cell lineage. During C. elegans embryogenesis a series of four divisions gives rise to a single precursor of the PIE-1 protein entire germline. This germ cell precursor divides just once more during embryogenesis and then arrests division until after hatching. The pie-1 gene is required for the proper specification of the germ cell lineage; in pie-1 mutants descendants of the germ cell precursor continue to divide and differentiate as somatic cells. Recent findings indicate that pie-1 encodes a nuclear protein that is localized exclusively to the germ cell precursor throughout the early cleavages in the C. elegans embryo, (pie-1 is both nuclear and cytoplasmic at the 2- and 4-cell stage, see diagram). The pie-1 protein contains two """"""""zinc finger"""""""" motifs found in a family of mammalian """"""""immediate early"""""""" growth factor response genes. Genetic studies suggest that pie-1 negatively regulates somatic differentiation in the germ cell precursor, possibly by functioning as a transcriptional repressor. Consistent with this model, expression of pie-1 in human cells appears to be sufficient to repress the activity of some but not all transcription factors. The proposed research uses molecular and classical genetic approaches to address the function and regulation of pie-1. The mechanism of pie-1 localization, and the developmental consequences of its mislocalization will be determined. Functional domains necessary for pie-1 activity will be identified through systematic in-vitro mutagenesis, followed by functional analysis in both human soma cells and C. elegans. A yeast two hybrid screen and genetic studies in C. elegans will be used to identify interacting genes. These experiments will elucidate the role of pie-1 in the initial steps of embryonic patterning in C. elegans. Examining the function of pie-1 and interacting genes in this relatively simple and easily manipulated genetic system may shed light on the possible role of related genes in the control of transcription and development in other organisms including humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD033769-04
Application #
2872840
Study Section
Cellular Biology and Physiology Subcommittee 1 (CBY)
Program Officer
Tasca, Richard J
Project Start
1996-02-01
Project End
2001-01-31
Budget Start
1999-02-01
Budget End
2001-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
660735098
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655
Elewa, Ahmed; Shirayama, Masaki; Kaymak, Ebru et al. (2015) POS-1 Promotes Endo-mesoderm Development by Inhibiting the Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation of neg-1 mRNA. Dev Cell 34:108-18
Shin, Tae Ho; Mello, Craig C (2003) Chromatin regulation during C. elegans germline development. Curr Opin Genet Dev 13:455-62
Unhavaithaya, Yingdee; Shin, Tae Ho; Miliaras, Nicholas et al. (2002) MEP-1 and a homolog of the NURD complex component Mi-2 act together to maintain germline-soma distinctions in C. elegans. Cell 111:991-1002
Tabara, H; Grishok, A; Mello, C C (1998) RNAi in C. elegans: soaking in the genome sequence. Science 282:430-1