Functional genomic analysis of cell division in C-elegans using RNAi of genes on chromosome III

Genome sequencing projects generate a wealth of information; however, the u ltimate goal of such projects is to accelerate the identification of the bi ological function of genes. This creates a need for comprehensive studies t o fill the gap between sequence and function. Here we report the results of a functional genomic screen to identify genes required for cell division i n Caenorhabditis elegans. We inhibited the expression of similar to 96% of the similar to2,300 predicted open reading frames on chromosome III using R NA-mediated interference (RNAi). By using an in vivo time-lapse differentia l interference contrast microscopy assay, we identified 133 genes (similar to6%) necessary for distinct cellular processes in early embryos. Our resul ts indicate that these genes represent most of the genes on chromosome III that are required for proper cell division in C. elegans embryos. The compl ete data set, including sample time-lapse recordings, has been deposited in an open access database. We found that similar to 47% of the genes associa ted with a differential interference contrast phenotype have clear ortholog ues in other eukaryotes, indicating that this screen provides putative gene functions for other species as well.