# One of these strains is not like the others: C. elegans DW102 has an altered dependence on brc-1 and brd-1 for regulation of cyp gene transcription

## TL;DR

A C. elegans strain with mutations in both brc-1 and brd-1 shows unusual gene expression patterns, suggesting it may not be suitable for studying these genes' functions.

## Contribution

The study reveals that the DW102 strain has distinct gene expression patterns compared to other brc-1 or brd-1 mutants.

## Key findings

- RT-qPCR analysis shows aberrant expression of the cyp-13A gene family in DW102.
- DW102 differs from other mutant strains despite similar phenotypic traits.
- The findings suggest caution when using DW102 to infer brc-1 and brd-1 functions.

## Abstract

Several strains of
Caenorhabditis elegans
with mutations in

brc-1

or

brd-1

are readily available to aid in elucidating the functions of these two genes in DNA damage repair, meiosis, and gene repression.
DW102
is the only
C. elegans
strain to our knowledge with mutations in both

brc-1

and

brd-1

. However, several groups have reported the
DW102
strain is indistinguishable from wild-type when observing levels of embryonic lethality, sensitivity to radiation, and rates of male progeny, while strains with mutations in either

brc-1

or

brd-1

display increased occurrence of these phenotypes. Here, RT-qPCR analysis of the
cyp-13A
gene family, reveals distinctive and aberrant expression patterns in
DW102
compared to other

brc-1

or

brd-1

mutant strains underscoring the need for caution in choosing this strain to draw conclusions about

brc-1

and

brd-1

functions.