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Genetic Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans GLH Family of P-Granule Proteins
- Article from:
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Genetics
- Article date:
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April 1, 2008
- Author:
- Spike, Caroline; Meyer, Nicole; Racen, Erica; Orsborn, April; Kirchner, Jay; Kuznicki, Kathleen; Yee, Christopher; Bennett, Karen; Strome, Susan
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Copyright informationCopyright Genetics Society of America Apr 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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ABSTRACT
The Vasa DEAD-box helicases are widespread markers of germ cells across species, and in some organisms have been shown to be essential for germ-cell formation and development. In contrast to the single Vasa gene in most systems analyzed, Caenorhabditis elegans has four Vasa family
members, the germline helicases GLH-1, GLH-2, GLH-3, and GLH-4. Our analysis of deletion alleles of each glh gene demonstrates that GLH-1 is the key member of the family: loss of GLH-1 function causes sterility that is mainly maternal effect, is manifested predominantly at elevated temperature, and is due to reduced germ-cell proliferation and impaired formation of both sperm and oocytes. The other GLHs ...