RNAi vector feeding protocol for distal tip cell (DTC) migration studies in C. elegans

Model Organisms Genetics and Genomics

scientificprotocols authored about 8 years ago 

Authors: Erin Cram & Jean Schwarzbauer

Introduction

RNAi is an effective method for analyzing gene function in C. elegans that often phenocopies loss-of-function phenotypes (1). In RNAi, double stranded RNA (dsRNA) introduced into larvae or adults activates an enzymatic pathway that eliminates endogenous RNAs homologous to the dsRNA (2). Potent and persistent RNAi silencing in results from secondary amplification of small amounts of the initial RNAi trigger by RNA dependent RNA polymerases (3, 4). RNAi can be induced in C. elegans using one of four methods: injecting in vitro synthesized dsRNA into the body cavity of the animal (injection RNAi), soaking in a solution of dsRNA (soaking RNAi), feeding animals bacteria engineered to express dsRNA (feeding RNAi), or through creation of transgenic animals that express dsRNA from DNA arrays maintained within cells (hairpin RNAi) (5, 6). This protocol is slightly modified from (7), and can be used for candidate or broad RNAi screens in C. elegans (8, 9).

Reagents

  1. NGM Plates: NaCl, peptone, agar, MgS04, CaCl2, cholesterol, K3PO4 (see recipe (10)) + IPTG and carbinicillin
  2. LB and ampicillin
  3. Agarose and Glass slides
  4. Lots of Petri Dishes
  5. 22×50mm glass coverslips

Equipment

  1. 4 to 6X (x10) dissecting scope
  2. 20-40X (x10) light microscope with Nomarski optics.
  3. Autoclave
  4. shaker
  5. incubators (37°C, 23°C)
  6. microwave.

Procedure

Day 1.

Streak out culture from desired library well on LB/Amp plate (40 µg amp/ml) (optional).

Day 2.

  1. Culture bacteria containing each RNAi clone in 1 ml LB medium containing 40 µg/ml ampicillin overnight (Table 1 shows vectors used in this particular study – link to RNAi primer info file).
  2. Chunk a starved nematode plate and allow starved nematodes to recover on fresh E.coli OP50-seeded NGM plates for two days (until Day 4 of experiment).

Day 3.

In the 24 well format, 20 µl of each culture was spotted in a single well of a 24-well plate containing NGM agar, 6 mM IPTG and 25 µg/ml carbenicillin. In the 6 cm format, spread out 150µl of culture. I usually make duplicate plates, so I have a plate ready to score a second generation.

Day 4.

Release eggs from gravid hermaphrodites on the plates chunked on Day 2 using alkaline hypochlorite solution. Following washes in M9 buffer, transfer eggs to plates seeded with E. coli HT115(DE3) bacteria expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) (Seeded Day 3) and incubated at 23°C. (For detailed protocol, see Hope (1999))

Day 5.

Take the day off.

Day 6.

  1. Analyze animals with light microscopy. Primary screen: Score the animals for clear patches using a dissecting microscopy. This is approximately 48h after hatching; animals should be young adults.
    • Secondary screen: Mount the animals on agar pads using 0.08M sodium azide as an anesthetic. View DTC migration using 40X Nomarski microscopy (see figure below – RNAi scheme).
  2. Transfer 5 young adults to new plates seeded with RNAi bacteria.

Day 7.

Take the day off.

Day 8.

Analyze young adult progeny animals as described for Day 6. If the worms aren’t old enough (likely), analyze them on Day 9.

Timing

The entire protocol takes 9 days, but very little time is required on most of the days. The amount of time on each day depends on the number of genes screened at one time. Generally, a few minutes to several hours is required on each day.

References

  1. Fire, A., et al., Potent and specific genetic interference by double-stranded RNA in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature, 1998. 391(6669): p. 806-811.PMID: 9486653
  2. Grishok, A., RNAi mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans. FEBS Lett, 2005. 579(26): p. 5932-5939.PMID: 16162338
  3. Pak, J. and A. Fire, Distinct populations of primary and secondary effectors during RNAi in C. elegans. Science, 2007. 315(5809): p. 241-244.PMID: 17124291
  4. Sijen, T., et al., Secondary siRNAs result from unprimed RNA synthesis and form a distinct class. Science, 2007. 315(5809): p. 244-247.PMID: 17158288
  5. Hull, D. and L. Timmons, Methods for delivery of double-stranded RNA into Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Mol Biol, 2004. 265: p. 23-58.PMID: 15103067
  6. Timmons, L., Delivery methods for RNA interference in C. elegans. Methods Mol Biol, 2006. 351: p. 119-125.PMID: 16988430
  7. Kamath, R.S. and J. Ahringer, Genome-wide RNAi screening in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods, 2003. 30(4): p. 313-321.PMID: 12828945
  8. Cram, E.J., H. Shang, and J.E. Schwarzbauer, A systematic RNA interference screen reveals a cell migration gene network in C. elegans. J Cell Sci, 2006. 119(Pt 23): p. 4811-4818.PMID: 17090602
  9. Cram, E.J., S.G. Clark, and J.E. Schwarzbauer, Talin loss-of-function uncovers roles in cell contractility and migration in C. elegans. J Cell Sci, 2003. 116(Pt 19): p. 3871-3878.PMID: 12915588
  10. Hope, I.A., ed. C. elegans, A Practical Approach. The Practical Approach Series, ed. B.D. Hames. 1999, Oxford University Press: Oxford

Figures

Figure 1: RNAi scheme

Fig 1

The full size version of this image can be found here.

Author information

Erin Cram, Northeastern University

Jean Schwarzbauer, Princeton University

Source: Protocol Exchange (2008) doi:10.1038/nprot.2008.27. Originally published online 12 February 2008.

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