Characterization and expression of the Caenorhabditis elegans chemosensory gene dyf-6

Characterization and expression of the Caenorhabditis elegans chemosensory gene dyf-6
Mark Audeh, Boston College

Date: 2007

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Abstract

The C. elegans strain SP 1712 ( dyf-6 (m 175)) contains a mutation that leads to defects in chemosensory behavior, and failure to uptake dye into the sensory neurons. In this study, we characterize and observe expression of the dyf-6 gene. RT-PCR data confirmed that the dyf-6 gene product includes a transcript that spans not only the F46F6.4 open reading frame, but the upstream ORF F46F6.3 as well. Sequencing revealed that the larger dyf-6 splice variant also contains three previously unidentified exons between the curated F46F6.4 and F46F6.3 ORFs. GFP expression data shows two different patterns of expression with two different promoter regions tested. The promoter upstream of the larger F46F6.3 product results in expression within all ciliated sensory neurons. The promoter region directly upstream from F46F6.4 drives expression within a smaller subset of amphid neurons.

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