Nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay in Caenorhabditis elegans

The nonsense[hyphen (true graphic)]mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway is a surveillance mechanism that targets the degradation of mRNAs harboring premature termination codons (PTCs). Two key aspects of NMD are the definition of a PTC codon and the identification of the molecular machinery dedicated to this mechanism. This chapter describes the development of transgenic reporters as well as the use of genome[hyphen (true graphic)]wide RNAi and genetic screens to identify novel components of the NMD pathway in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegan

Two Sets of Interacting Collagens Form Functionally Distinct Substructures within a Caenorhabditis elegans Extracellular Matrix

A ubiquitous feature of collagens is protein interaction, the trimerization of monomers to form a triple helix followed by higher order interactions during the formation of the mature extracellular matrix. The Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle is a complex extracellular matrix consisting predominantly of cuticle collagens, which are encoded by a family of ∼154 genes. We identify two discrete interacting sets of collagens and show that they form functionally distinct matrix substructures. We show that mutation in or RNA-mediated interference of a gene encoding a collagen belonging to one interacting set affects the assembly of other members of that set, but not those belonging to the other set. During cuticle synthesis, the collagen genes are expressed in a distinct temporal series, which we hypothesize exists to facilitate partner finding and the formation of appropriate interactions between encoded collagens. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find for the two identified interacting sets that the individual members of each set are temporally coexpressed, whereas the two sets are expressed ∼2 h apart during matrix synthesis

Petrogenesis of the Neoproterozoic West Highland Granitic Gneiss, Scottish Caledonides: Cryptic mantle input to S-type granites?

The Neoproterozoic (c. 870 Ma) West Highland Granitic Gneiss, exposed in the Northern Highlands Terrane of Scotland, has elemental characteristics that are strikingly similar to those of the host Moine metasediments, which are thus consistent with an origin involving major Moine melting. Most of the constituent bodies have compositions significantly removed from minimum melts of pelites, and trace element constraints suggest variable but significant restite entrainment leading to less silicic bulk compositions with enhanced REE, Zr and Y. However, initial Nd and Hf isotope ratios are not coincident with contemporary Moine and imply a significant juvenile contribution. Close association with a regional suite of metabasites prompts consideration of mafic magma input, for which binary mixing models offer qualitative support. Quantitative difficulties with typical Moine metasediments are eased with radiogenic pelites or by partial melting of the mafic component. A possible alternative is currently unexposed Grenvillian felsic crust. Subsequent interaction of the granitic gneisses with meteoric water has significantly perturbed the oxygen and Sr isotope systems, the timing of which is equivocal but probably occurred during Caledonian events. The elemental characteristics of the West Highland Granitic Gneiss show many similarities with Scandinavian (rift-related?) granites of the same age, but since their geochemistry is largely inherited from the protolith it would be unwise to pursue palaeotectonic attribution on this basis. However, the probable incorporation of significant mantle-derived mafic magma of MORB-like affinity is consistent with an extensional setting