A Phenotype-Based RNAi Screening for Ras-ERK/MAPK Signaling-Associated Stem Cell Regulators in C. Elegans

Overview

Journal Methods Mol Biol

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2017 Jul 5

PMID 28674811

Citations 6

Authors

Myon-Hee Lee

Dong Suk Yoon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and to generate differentiated cell types. A regulatory network that controls this balance is critical for stem cell homeostasis and normal animal development. Particularly, Ras-ERK/MAPK signaling pathway is critical for stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in mammals, including humans. Aberrant regulation of Ras-ERK/MAPK signaling pathway results in either stem cell or overproliferation. Therefore, the identification of Ras-ERK/MAPK signaling pathway-associated regulators is critical to understand the mechanism of stem cell (possibly cancer stem cell) control. In this report, using the nematode C. elegans mutants, we developed a methodology for a phenotype-based RNAi screening that identifies stem cell regulator genes associated with Ras-ERK/MAPK signaling within the context of a whole organism. Importantly, this phenotype-based RNAi screening can be applied for other stem cell-associated signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and Notch using the C. elegans.

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