In Caenorhabditis elegans, the introduction of double-stranded RNA triggers sequence-specific genetic interference (RNAi) that is transmitted to offspring. The inheritance properties associated with this phenomenon were examined. Transmission of the interference effect occurred through a dominant extragenic agent. The wild-type activities of the RNAi pathway genes
rde-1 and
rde-4 were required for the formation of this interfering agent but were not needed for interference thereafter. In contrast, the
rde-2 and
mut-7 genes were required downstream for interference. These findings provide evidence for germ line transmission of an extragenic sequence-specific silencing factor and implicate
rde-1 and
rde-4 in the formation of the inherited agent.AD - Program in Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, University of Massachusetts Cancer Center, Two Biotech Suite 213, 373 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.FAU - Grishok, AAU - Grishok AFAU - Tabara, HAU - Tabara HFAU - Mello, C CAU - Mello CCLA - engID - GM58800/GM/NIGMSPT - Journal ArticleCY - UNITED STATESTA - ScienceJID - 0404511RN - 0 (DNA Transposable Elements)RN - 0 (Helminth Proteins)RN - 0 (RNA, Double-Stranded)RN - 0 (RNA, Helminth)RN - 0 (
rde1 protein)SB - IM