Abstract
We describe the identification and characterization of a novel PcG gene in C. elegans, sor-1, which is involved in global repression of Hox genes. sor-1 encodes a novel protein with an RNA-binding activity. We provide evidence that SOR-1 and the previously identified RNA-binding protein SOP-2 may constitute an RNA-binding complex in Hox gene repression. SOR-1 and SOP-2 directly interact with each other and are colocalized in nuclear bodies. The localization of SOR-1 depends on SOP-2. Surprisingly, homologs of SOR-1 and SOP-2 are not found in other organisms, including the congeneric species C. briggsae, suggesting an unexpected lack of evolutionary constraint on an essential global gene regulatory system.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development*
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Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutation / genetics
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Nuclear Proteins / genetics
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
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Polycomb-Group Proteins
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Protein Binding
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RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
Substances
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Nuclear Proteins
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Polycomb-Group Proteins
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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SOR-1 protein, C elegans
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Sop-2 protein, C elegans
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mes-2 protein, C elegans
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mes-6 protein, C elegans