Document Type
Honors Project
Publication Date
Spring 5-29-2013
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are characterized by an age-related decrease in the synaptic activity of the patient’s brain. Previous research suggested that a RFX transcription factor DAF-19 in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) may be involved in the maintenance of synaptic protein levels. Particularly, worms that were DAF-19A/B defective showed reduced synaptic activities when compared to their age-matched controls.
This study investigated the role of DAF-19A/B isoforms in the C. elegans nervous system. Three genes, F46G11.3, F57B10.9, and F58E2.3 were selected as potential downstream targets of DAF-19A/B based on their potential neuronal expression. Among the three, F46G11.3 and F57B10.9 were expressed in the neurons. The gene expression pattern of F57B10.9 in a wild-type animal and a DAF-19 defective animal was shown to be different, suggesting the gene may be a target of DAF-19A/B.
Level of Honors
cum laude
Department
Biology
Advisor
Elizabeth De Stasio
Recommended Citation
Zhang, He, "Investigating Potential Target Genes of the RFX Transcription Factor DAF-19 in Caenorhabditis elegans" (2013). Lawrence University Honors Projects. 39.
https://lux.lawrence.edu/luhp/39
Included in
Bioinformatics Commons, Biology Commons, Genetics Commons, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Commons, Molecular Genetics Commons