Deciphering Transcriptional Control Of Germ Cell Development
The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) germline is an efficient reproduction system driven by a GLP-1/Notch regulatory network to control germ cell proliferation and differentiation. It shares multiple features with germlines of other animals, such as the existence of a self-renewing germline stem cell population. By examining the C. elegans germline in vivo, we can investigate various germline functions such as germ cell maturation, cell signalling and apoptosis. The regulatory network controlling germline development requires precise transcriptional regulation. The C. elegans genome encodes 875 transcription factors. Based on germline-specific RNA-sequencing data from our lab, 368 of these transcription factors are expressed in the germline. However, the majority of these transcription factors are understudied. Through germline-specific transcription factor RNAi knockdown and phenotypic analysis of the germ cell behaviour, we will identify transcription factors that regulate germ line development and function. By further functional analysis of the of these transcription factors, we will gain understanding of transcriptional regulation in germline stem cell maintenance, cell fate specification, cell signalling and apoptosis.