Excerpt

Why should one study a worm? This simple creature is one of several “model” organisms that together have provided tremendous insight into how all organisms are put together. It has become increasingly clear over the past two decades that knowledge from one organism, even one so simple as a worm, can provide tremendous power when connected with knowledge from other organisms. And because of the experimental accessibility of nematodes, knowledge about worms can come more quickly and cheaply than knowledge about higher organisms.

Contents

• Reviewers
• Preface
• Foreword
• Chapter 1. Introduction to C. elegans
  Donald L Riddle, Thomas Blumenthal, Barbara J Meyer, and James R Priess.
  • I The Biological Model
  • II Origins of the Model
  • III Life History And Evolution
  • IV Anatomy
  • V Resources
  • VI Current Issues
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 2. The Genome
  Robert H Waterston, John E Sulston, and Alan R Coulson.
  • I General Properties
  • II The Physical Map
  • III Genetics, Genes, and the Physical Map
  • IV Genome Sequencing
  • V EST Sequencing
  • VI Interpretation of the Sequence
  • VII Tentative Conclusions
  • VIII Prospects
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 3. Chromosome Organization, Mitosis, and Meiosis
  Donna G Albertson, Ann M Rose, and Anne M Villeneuve.
  • I Introduction
  • II Mitosis
  • III Meiosis
  • IV Prospects
• Chapter 4. Mutation
  Robert C Johnsen and David L Baillie.
  • I Introduction
  • II Induced Mutations
  • III Genetic Balancers
  • IV Genetically Detectable Genes
  • V What are Essential Genes?
  • VI Gene Distribution
  • VII Summary
  • Acknowledgment
• Chapter 5. Transposons
  Ronald H A Plasterk and Henri G A M van Luenen.
  • I Introduction
  • II Tc1 and Tc3
  • III Other Elements
  • IV The Tc1/mariner Family
  • V Regulation of Tc1/mariner Transposition
  • VI Mechanism of Tc1 Transposition
  • VII Repair After Tc1 Excision
  • VIII Tc1 as a Tool in C. elegans Research
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 6. RNA Processing and Gene Structure
  Thomas Blumenthal and Keith Steward.
  • I Introduction
  • II Cis -Splicing in Worms
  • III Trans -Splicing
  • IV SL2 Trans -Splicing and Operons
  • V Trans -Splicing in Vitro
  • VI Frequency of Operons and Trans -Splicing
  • VII Organization and Transcription of Spliced Leader RNA Genes
  • VIII 3′-End Formation
  • IX Translation Initiation and Termination Signals
  • X Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 7. Transcription Factors and Transcriptional Regulation
  James D McGhee and Michael W. Krause.
  • I Introduction
  • II The Basal Transcription Machinery
  • III Transcription Factors
  • IV Analysis of C. elegans Promoters
  • V Future Prospects
• Chapter 8. mRNA and Translation
  Philip Anderson and Judith Kimble.
  • I Introduction
  • II The Translational Apparatus
  • III Informational Suppressors
  • IV Regulation of Translation During Development
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 9. Sex Determination and X Chromosome Dosage Compensation
  Barbara J Meyer.
  • I Introduction
  • II Sexual Dimorphism
  • III The Primary Sex-Determination Signal and its Gene Target
  • IV Hermaphrodite-Specific Genes that Coordinately Control Sex Determination and Dosage Compensation
  • V X Chromosome Dosage Compensation
  • VI Somatic Sex Determination
  • VII Sex Determination in The Germ Line Versus the Soma
  • VIII Concluding Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 10. Developmental Genetics of the Germ Line
  Tim Schedl.
  • I Introduction
  • II Summary of Anatomy and Development of the Germ Line
  • III Genetic Analysis of Germ-Line Development
  • IV Somatic Gonad
  • V Germ-Line Specification and Survival
  • VI Germ-Line Sex Determination
  • VII Control of Proliferation and Entry into the Meiotic Pathway
  • VIII Meiotic Prophase Progression and Gametogenesis
  • IX Oocyte Development, Maturation, and Ovulation
  • X Future Prospects
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 11. Spermatogenesis
  Steven W L'Hernault.
  • I Overview
  • II Organelle Morphogenesis During Spermatogenesis
  • III Spermiogenesis
  • IV Acquisition and Mechanism of Spermatozoan Motility
  • V Role of Motility During Oocyte Recognition
  • VI Future Prospects
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 12. Male Development and Mating Behavior
  Scott W Emmons and Paul W Sternberg.
  • I Introduction and Overview of Male Anatomy
  • II Behavior
  • III Development
  • IV Concluding Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 13. Fertilization and Establishment of Polarity in the Embryo
  Kenneth J Kemphues and Susan Strome.
  • I Introduction
  • II Fertilization
  • III Establishment of Polarity in the One-Cell Embryo
  • IV Cell Division Patterns in the Early Embryo
  • V Summary and Speculation
• Chapter 14. Specification of Cell Fates in the Early Embryo
  Ralf Schnabel and James R Priess.
  • I Introduction
  • II Specification of Cell Fates in the AB Lineage
  • III Specification of the P₁ Descendants
  • IV Future Prospects
• Chapter 15. Cell Death
  Michael O Hengartner.
  • I Introduction
  • II Programmed Cell Death in C. elegans
  • III Genetics of Programmed Cell Death
  • IV Programmed Cell Death in Specific Cell Types
  • V Cell Deaths not Mediated by the Common Death Program
  • VI Evolution of Programmed Cell Death
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 16. Muscle: Structure, Function, and Development
  Donald G Moerman and Andrew Fire.
  • I Introduction
  • II The Organization, Structure, and Function of Muscle
  • III Specification of Muscle Patterns: Programs for Muscle Determination and Differentiation
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 17. Extracellular Matrix
  James M Kramer.
  • I Introduction
  • II Cuticle
  • III Basement Membranes
  • IV Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 18. Heterochronic Genes
  Victor Ambros.
  • I Introduction
  • II Heterochronic Phenotypes
  • III Control of Larval Development by lin-14
  • IV Developmental Programs and Regulatory Targets
  • V Postdauer Reprogramming of Heterochronic Phenotypes
  • VI Perspectives
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 19. Development of the Vulva
  Iva Greenwald.
  • I Introduction and Overview
  • II The Anchor Cell
  • III VPC Generation and Identity
  • IV VPC Specification
  • V Execution
  • VI Morphogenesis
  • VII Evolution of Vulval Development
  • VIII Future Prospects
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 20. Patterning the Nervous System
  Gary Ruvkun.
  • I Introduction
  • II Invariant Cell Lineages in C. elegans Neurogenesis
  • III Specification of Sensory Neuronal Development
  • IV Generation of Reiterated Neurons by Reiterated Cell Lineages
  • V Spatial Patterning by the C. elegans HOM-C Gene Cluster
  • VI Concluding Remarks
• Chapter 21. Cell and Growth Cone Migrations
  Adam Antebi, Carolyn R Norris, Edward M Hedgecock, and Gian Garriga.
  • I Introduction
  • II Neuroglia and Pioneers
  • III Netrins Guide Circumferential Migrations
  • IV Hierarchies Of Guidance Cues
  • V Genetic Requirements for Axonal Growth
  • VI Cell Migration and other Aspects of Cellular Phenotype
  • VII Muscle Positioning on the Body Wall and Muscle Arm Chemotropism
  • VIII Future Directions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 22. Synaptic Transmission
  James B Rand and Michael L Nonet.
  • I Introduction
  • II Neurotransmitter Metabolism and Function
  • III Components Regulating Neurotransmitter Release in all Neurons
  • IV Conclusions and Future Perspectives
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 23. Mechanotransduction
  Monica Driscoll and Joshua Kaplan.
  • I Introduction: the Neural Circuit For Locomotion
  • II Mechanosensory Control of Locomotion
  • III Touch Receptor Development and Differentiation
  • IV Genes Required for Touch Receptor Function
  • V Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 24. Feeding and Defecation
  Leon Avery and James H Thomas.
  • I Introduction: Nematode Hydrostatics
  • II Feeding
  • III Defecation Motor Program
  • IV Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 25. Chemotaxis and Thermotaxis
  Cornelia I Bargmann and Ikue Mori.
  • I Introduction
  • II C. elegans Responds to a Variety of Chemicals
  • III The Behavioral Mechanism of Chemotaxis and Thermotaxis
  • IV Cellular Analysis of Chemosensory and Thermosensory Neurons
  • V Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Chemosensation and Thermosensation
  • VI Regulation of Chemotaxis and Thermotaxis by Experience
  • VII Conclusions and Prospects
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 26. Genetic and Environmental Regulation of Dauer Larva Development
  Donald L Riddle and Patrice S Albert.
  • I Introduction
  • II The Dauer State
  • III Developmental Transitions
  • IV A Network of Gene Functions
  • V Summary and Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 27. Neural Plasticity
  Erik M Jorgensen and Catharine Rankin.
  • I Introduction: Connectivity and Plasticity
  • II Synaptic Plasticity During Development
  • III Behavioral Plasticity in the Adult
  • IV Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 28. Environmental Factors and Gene Activities That Influence Life Span
  Cynthia Kenyon.
  • I The Study of Life Span
  • II Theories of Aging
  • III Aging in C. elegans
  • IV The Search for Genes that Control the Rate of Aging
  • V Prospects
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 29. Evolution
  David H A Fitch and W. Kelley Thomas.
  • I Introduction
  • II Phylogenetic Context for C. elegans
  • III Character Evolution
  • IV Other Directions
  • V Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
• Chapter 30. Parasitic Nematodes
  Mark Blaxter and David Bird.
  • I The Nematode World
  • II An Introduction to Some Nematode Parasites
  • III Antinematode Compounds and Their Targets
  • IV The Nematode Surface
  • V Parasite Genes and Genomes
  • VI Future Prospects
  • Acknowledgments
• Appendix 1 Genetics
  Jonathan Hodgkin.
  • Part A Genetic Nomenclature
  • Part B List of Laboratory Strain and Allele Designations
  • Part C Skeleton Genetic Map
  • Part D List of Characterized Genes
  • Acknowledgments
  • Gene List
• Appendix 2 Neurotransmitter Assignments for Specific Neurons
  James B Rand and Michael L Nonet.
• Appendix 3 Codon Usage in C. elegans
  Paul M Sharp and Keith R Bradnam.
• Appendix 4 On-line C. elegans Resources
  Mark L Edgley, Carolyn A Turner, and Donald L Riddle.
  • Part A ACeDB Resources
  • Part B C. elegans Genome Project and Related Sources
  • Part C Other Information Sources
• Bibliography