Spatial transcriptomics of C. elegans males and hermaphrodites identifies sex-specific differences in gene expression patterns

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	Spatial transcriptomics of C. elegans males and hermaphrodites identifies sex-specific differences in gene expression patterns
Creators Name:	Ebbing, A., Vértesy, Á., Betist, M.C., Spanjaard, B., Junker, J.P., Berezikov, E., van Oudenaarden, A. and Korswagen, H.C.
Abstract:	To advance our understanding of the genetic programs that drive cell and tissue specialization, it is necessary to obtain a comprehensive overview of gene expression patterns. Here, we have used spatial transcriptomics to generate high-resolution, anteroposterior gene expression maps of C. elegans males and hermaphrodites. To explore these maps, we have developed computational methods for discovering region- and tissue-specific genes. We have found extensive sex-specific gene expression differences in the germline and sperm and discovered genes that are specifically expressed in the male reproductive tract. These include a group of uncharacterized genes that encode small secreted proteins that are required for male fertility. We conclude that spatial gene expression maps provide a powerful resource for identifying tissue-specific gene functions in C. elegans. Importantly, we found that expression maps from different animals can be precisely aligned, enabling transcriptome-wide comparisons of gene expression patterns.
Keywords:	C. elegans, Spatial Transcriptomics, mRNA Sequencing, CEL-Seq, Germline, Sperm, Male Fertility, Animals, Caenorhabditis elegans
Source:	Developmental Cell
ISSN:	1534-5807
Publisher:	Cell Press
Volume:	47
Number:	6
Page Range:	801-813
Date:	17 December 2018
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2018.10.016
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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