Journal Article

Knockdown of Actin and Caspase Gene Expression by RNA Interference in the Symbiotic Anemone Aiptasia pallida

Phillips, Wendy S., Dunn, Simon R., Green, Douglas R., Weis, Virginia M.

2007

Overview

Since the discovery of the ancient eukaryotic process of RNA-mediated gene silencing, the reverse-genetics technique RNA interference (RNAi) has increasingly been used to examine gene function in vertebrate and invertebrate systems. In this study, we report on the use of RNAi, adapted from studies on animal model systems, to manipulate gene expression in a symbiotic marine cnidarian. We describe gene knockdown of actin and of acasp-a cysteine protease, or caspase-in the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia pallida. Knockdown was assessed qualitatively with in situ hybridizations for both genes. Quantitative PCR and caspase activity assays were used as a quantitative measure of knockdown for acasp.

• Publisher: Marine Biological Laboratory,University of Chicago Press
• Subject: Actin / Actins / Actins - antagonists & inhibitors / Actins - genetics / Actins - metabolism / Aiptasia pallida / Animal models / Animals / Apoptosis / Apoptosis - genetics / Bioassay / Biological assay / Caspase Inhibitors / Caspases - genetics / Caspases - metabolism / Chemical properties / Cysteine proteinases / Double stranded RNA / Gene expression / Genetic aspects / Genetic engineering / Genetics / In Situ Hybridization / Invertebrates / Marine / Physiological aspects / Polymerase Chain Reaction / Ribonucleic acid / RNA / RNA Interference / RNA polymerase / Sea anemones / Sea Anemones - metabolism / Sea water / Studies / Symbiosis / Symbiosis and Parasitology / Vertebrates