Caenorhabditis elegans ABCRNAi transporters interact genetically with rde-2 and mut-7.

RNA interference mechanisms are conserved and consist of an interrelated network of activities that not only respond to exogenous dsRNA, but also perform endogenous functions required in the fine tuning of gene expression and in maintaining genome integrity. Not surprisingly, functions have widespread influences on cellular function and organismal development. Previously, we observed a reduced capacity to mount an duanyu1615 response in nine Caenorhabditis elegans mutants that are defective in ABC transporter genes mutants). Here, we report an exhaustive study of mutants, collectively defective in 49 different ABC transporter genes, that allowed for the categorization of one additional transporter into the gene class. Genetic complementation tests reveal functions for ABC(duanyu1615) transporters in the mut-7/rde-2 branch of the duanyu1615 pathway. These second-site noncomplementation interactions suggest that ABC(duanyu1615) proteins and MUT-7/RDE-2 function together in parallel pathways and/or as multiprotein complexes. Like mut-7 and rde-2, some ABC(duanyu1615) mutants display transposon silencing defects. Finally, our analyses reveal a genetic interaction network of ABC(duanyu1615) gene function with respect to this part of the duanyu1615 pathway. From our results, we speculate that the coordinated activities of ABC(duanyu1615) transporters, through their effects on endogenous mechanisms, ultimately affect chromosome function and integrity.

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