Summary: how does a cell manage to divide into two cells? Why are development arrested? The study of cell divisionG in C. elegans helps us uncover the relationship between genes and their expressions.

The phenomenon
A wild typeG: this will develop into a worm.
(640 KB, movie length: 10")
A mutantG: its development will be arrested.
(1 MB, movie length: 15")

The cloned gene sequence (cartoon)

Mouse over the mutant's sequence to see the sequence difference.
Wild typeG
MutantG

The encoded protein sequence (cartoon)

Wild typeG
(706 amino acid)
MutantG
(615 amino acid)

Research Questions

1) How do genes regulate organisms' development?

2) Are genes found in one organism also found in other organisms? (for evolutionary biology)

More Information

The published paper:
O'Connell KF, Caron C, Kopish KR, Hurd DD, Kemphues KJ, Li Y, White JG. The C. elegans zyg-1 gene encodes a regulator of centrosome duplication with distinct maternal and paternal roles in the embryo. Cell. 2001 May 18;105(4):547-58.

Genotype/Phenotype module: instructional materials for learning the relationship between genotype and phenotype by inquiry. Students get to observe phenomena, pose questions, collect evidences etc. Animations, movies, images and hands-on tools are provided to assist learning. With adequate citation, materials are free to be used in other pedagogical approaches.

Credits

1. Wild type and mutant movies: Kevin O'Connell, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases.

Glossary:

Cell Division: separation of a cell into two daughter cells. In higher eukaryotes, it involves division of the nucleus (mitosis) and of the cytoplasm (cytokinesis); mitosis is often used to refer to both nuclear and cytoplasmic division. (Molecular Cell Biology/Harvey Lodish [et al.] - 4th)

Mutant: a cell microorganism that manifests new characteristics due to a change in its genetics materials (Adapted from: www.ncbiotech.org/biotech101/glossary.cfm)

Wild Type: Normal, nonmutant form of an organism; the form found in nature (in the wild). (Molecular Biology of the Cell, Bruce Alberts [et al.] - 3rd)