Altered behaviour following RNA interference knockdown of a C-elegans G-protein coupled receptor by ingested double stranded RNA

Using a systemic and continuous delivery method based on feeding on a parti cular strain of transformed Escherichia coli to induce double stranded RNA- mediated interference, we targeted the product of the npr-1 gene, a putativ e Caenorhabditis elegans homologue of a neuropeptide Y receptor, a G-protei n coupled receptor. We were able to reproduce the social behaviour observed for the naturally occurring npr-1 mutant when wild type N2 Bristol eggs de veloped in a lawn of bacteria producing double stranded RNA for npr-1. This facile approach may also be useful when studying the function of other wor m G-protein coupled receptors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.