Analyses of Alternative Splicing in C. elegans Longevity Genes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate development and age‐specific novel alternative splicing patterns in the longevity genes age‐1 and clk‐1. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used as the model organism, from which mRNA was harvested at different points in their developmental cycle (eggs, larval 3 (L3), dauer, adults, geriatrics). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis was performed to detect the presence of mRNA of different sizes at different genetic locations throughout the gene, which would suggest alternative mRNA isoforms. The fragments were sequenced (eggs L3, geriatrics) to verify actual splicing reactions. The results indicate novel instances of intron inclusion and exon exclusion with the latter being associated specifically with developmental stage L3.