# Control of C. elegans lineage by heterochronic genes

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $648,090

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
We have identified a number of genes via genetic analysis and RNA interference gene inactivations that act
as protein coding cofactors for the function of miRNAs and siRNAs in C. elegans. Some of these proteins
were identified in genetic screens for decrease in miRNA function, some in genetic screens for decrease in
siRNA function, and some in genetic screens for increase in siRNA function. We have also identified the
target small RNAs that mediate these functions by deep RNA sequencing of selected mutant strains. We
propose to dissect in detail how these proteins orchestrate the production, trafficking, and function of small
RNAs in both mRNA degradation, mRNA translational control, and control of gene expression. We also
propose to discern how the miRNA and siRNA and other small RNA pathways may compete with each other
for common cofactors, thus leading to an increase in function in one pathway, when the other pathway is
debilitated.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9815968
- **Project number:** 5R01GM044619-28
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** GARY B RUVKUN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $648,090
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-05-01 → 2021-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9815968

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9815968, Control of C. elegans lineage by heterochronic genes (5R01GM044619-28). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9815968. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*