Abstract
A crucial aim upon completion of whole genome sequences is the functional analysis of all predicted genes. We have applied a high-throughput RNA-interference (RNAi) screen of 19,470 double-stranded (ds) RNAs in cultured cells to characterize the function of nearly all (91%) predicted Drosophila genes in cell growth and viability. We found 438 dsRNAs that identified essential genes, among which 80% lacked mutant alleles. A quantitative assay of cell number was applied to identify genes of known and uncharacterized functions. In particular, we demonstrate a role for the homolog of a mammalian acute myeloid leukemia gene (AML1) in cell survival. Such a systematic screen for cell phenotypes, such as cell viability, can thus be effective in characterizing functionally related genes on a genome-wide scale.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis
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Cell Cycle
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Cell Survival
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Cells, Cultured
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Computational Biology
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Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila Proteins / physiology
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Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
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Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development*
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Genes, Essential
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Genes, Insect*
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Genome*
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Humans
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Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
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Phenotype
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Proteome
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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RNA Interference*
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RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics
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Reproducibility of Results
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Sequence Homology
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
Substances
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Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
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DIAP1 protein, Drosophila
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
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Proteome
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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RNA, Double-Stranded
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RUNX1 protein, human
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Transcription Factors