Transcription of the ABF-1 gene in caenorhabditis elegans.

ABF-1 is a transcription factor seen in a number of tissues including B-cells. B-cells are essential factors to various humoral responses. ABF-1 is known to form a heterodimer with the E2A protein. This dimmer regulates the transcription of other proteins necessary for B and T cell development. The soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, is a widely studied model organism that exhibits a simple and predictable developmental pattern that is easily studied and manipulated. This organism undergoes a complicated series of developmental stages that are studied genetically and molecularly. Both E2A and ABF-1 homologues have been cloned in C. e/egans and appear to function in the same manner as in humans. To determine where and when ABF-1 is transcribed in C. e/egans, we have fused the reporter gene, green fluorescent protein (GFP), to the ABF- 1 regulatory and coding regions and will use this construct to make transgenic animals. . Pending the expected results, further studies may be done with the nematode as to give more insight in the functions of ABF-1