mel-28 (maternal-effect-lethal-28) encodes a conserved protein required for nuclear envelope function and chromosome segregation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Because
mel-28 is a strict maternal-effect lethal gene, its function is required in the early embryo but appears to be dispensable for larval development. We wanted to test the idea that
mel-28 has postembryonic roles that are buffered by the contributions of other genes. To find genes that act coordinately with
mel-28, we did an RNA interference-based genetic interaction screen using
mel-28 and wild-type larvae. We screened 18,364 clones and identified 65 genes that cause sterility in
mel-28 but not wild-type worms. Some of these genes encode components of the nuclear pore. In addition we identified genes involved in dynein and dynactin function, vesicle transport, and cell-matrix attachments. By screening
mel-28 larvae we have bypassed the requirement for
mel-28 in the embryo, uncovering pleiotropic functions for
mel-28 later in development that are normally provided by other genes. This work contributes toward revealing the gene networks that underlie cellular processes and reveals roles for a maternal-effect lethal gene later in development.