The MED-7 transcriptional mediator encoded by let-49 is required for gonadand germ cell development in Caenorhabditis elegans

Transcription mediators are evolutionarily conserved from yeast to human. W e previously reported the specific in vivo roles of mediators during develo pment. Transcriptional mediators including med-6, med-7, and med-10 were sh own to be involved in the regulated transcription of specific genes., but n ot in the transcription of ubiquitous genes. In this report we have identif ied and characterized the Caenorhabditis elegans med-7 gene. A genetic muta tion in the med-7 gene was identified by comparing genetic and physical map s and determining the molecular lesion. let-49 was found to have a nonsense mutation in the coding region of the med-17 gene. The identification of le t-49 as the med-7 gene was confirmed by rescue experiments. The phenotype o f the let-49 mutation indicated that the med-7 gene is required for normal postembryonic development. RNAi experiments showed that med-7 is also invol ved in embryogenesis and the gonad and germ cell development. (C) 2001 Publ ished by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Bioc hemical Societies.