The C. elegansflr-3(ut9) mutation is a loss-of-function insertion within the drl-1 locus
Kendra L Honey1,2, Sarah K Torzone1,2, Robert H Dowen1,2,3
1Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States.
Abstract:
The genes encoding the mitogen-activated protein kinases DRL-1 and FLR-4 are required for growth and lipid homeostasis in C. elegans . Interestingly, the flr-3 ( ut9 ) mutant, which was previously isolated in a forward genetic screen for mutations that confer fluoride resistance, phenocopies the drl-1 and flr-4 loss-of-function mutants; however, the genetic identity of flr-3 is unknown. Through whole genome sequencing, we found that the flr-3 ( ut9 ) mutation is an insertion in the drl-1 locus and disrupts drl-1 gene function, resulting in dramatic growth defects and impaired vitellogenin production.
