GENETIC MAP DATA AND NEW GENE NAME PROPOSALS
We remind C. elegans researchers that the deadline for new genetic map
data to be included in the 1999 Genetic Map of C. elegans is 30 April
1999. Data can be communicated to the CGC via the Sanger Centre
website:
http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Projects/C_elegans/CGC/
In addition, we recommend that proposed new gene names for C. elegans
should be communicated to the CGC, following the recommendations
below, and using the form at the end.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Hodgkin (MRC-LMB, Cambridge, UK)
Sylvia Martinelli (The Sanger Centre, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK)
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GENE NAMING IN CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS
Gene naming in C. elegans is supervised by Jonathan Hodgkin at
MRC-LMB, Cambridge, England, as part of a subcontract for the
Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC), which is based at the University
of Minnesota and funded by the NIH National Center for Research
Resources.
A summary of current recommendations for genetic nomenclature in
Caenorhabditis elegans can be found at:
http://elegans.swmed.edu/Genome/nomen.html
Proposed new gene names should be registered with the CGC before
publication. This helps to ensure conformity with standard
nomenclature, to avoid duplicated, unnecessary or inappropriate gene
names, and to update the relevant databases. If you wish to propose a
new gene name, please note the following recommendations, fill out the
form at the end of this message, and return it to:
jah at mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk.
Jonathan Hodgkin
CGC Map and Nomenclature Curator
(Caenorhabditis Genetics Center Subcontract)
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH
England
Telephone (+44) 1223 402321 (office)
(+44) 1223 402278 (lab)
Fax (+44) 1223 412142
e-mail jah at mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
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Gene Names
In the standard nomenclature for Caenorhabditis elegans, genes
are given names consisting of three italicized letters, a hyphen, and
an italicized Arabic number, e.g., dpy-5 or let-37 or mlc-3. The gene
name may be followed by an italicized Roman numeral, to indicate the
linkage group on which the gene maps, e.g., dpy-5 I or let-37 X or
mlc-3 III.
For genes defined by mutation, the gene names refer to the mutant
phenotype originally detected or most easily scored: dumpy (dumpy) in
the case of dpy-5, and lethal (lethal) in the case of let-37.
For genes defined by cloning on the basis of sequence similarity, or
by analysis of genomic sequence, the gene name refers to the predicted
protein product or RNA product: myosin light chain in the case of
mlc-3, superoxide dismutase in the case of sod-1, ribosomal RNA in the
case of rrn-1.
Genes with related properties are usually given the same three letter
name and different numbers. For example, there are three known myosin
light chain genes: mlc-1, mlc-2, mlc-3, and more than twenty different
dumpy genes: dpy-1, dpy-2, dpy-3, and so on.
Sequences that are predicted to be genes from sequence data alone,
using GENEFINDER, are initially named by the C. elegans Mapping and
Sequencing Consortium on the basis of the sequenced cosmid, plus a
number. For example, the genes predicted for the cosmid T05G3 are
called T05G3.1, T05G3.2, etc. (numbered in arbitrary order of
definition). Such names can be superseded by standard 3-letter names
when this becomes appropriate. Thus, R13F6.3 has been given the name
srg-12 (for Serpentine Receptor, class G).
Gene names including c (for Caenorhabditis), ce (for C. elegans), n
(for nematode) or w (for worm) are discouraged. The optional prefix
Ce- can be added to the gene name, if it is important to specify the
organism of origin. For example, Ce-snt-1 defines the C. elegans
synaptotagmin gene.
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PROPOSAL FOR A NEW C.ELEGANS GENE NAME
Name of scientist making request:
Address (including e-mail):
Laboratory Principal Investigator:
Proposed new gene name:
Explanation and justification:
Physical map location(s):
(if known)
GENEFINDER predicted gene(s):
(if known)
Status of any relevant publication: PUBLISHED/IN PRESS/SUBMITTED
If published or in press, please
give details:
Do you wish this gene assignment to
remain confidential until publication? YES/NO
If not, it will be added to ACeDB, the
general database for all C. elegans
information.
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RETURN TO jah at mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
DO NOT ENCODE YOUR REPLY
DO NOT INCLUDE ELECTRONIC ATTACHMENTS
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