Figure 5.
Examples of novel genetic modifier interactions in C. elegans. Here, the phenotypic consequences of inhibiting each of two genes ada-2 and apa-2 in wild-type (Bristol N2) and vab-1(e699) mutant animals are compared. In wild-type worms, inhibiting either of these genes produces minimal phenotypic change. In the images, adult worms can be observed together with their larval progeny. In contrast, in vab-1(e699) mutants, ada-2(RNAi) and apa-2(RNAi) produce embryonic lethality (example clusters of unhatched embryos are marked by arrowheads), a reduced brood size, and for apa-2(RNAi) delayed growth of the first generation worms.
