3.4. Lipid droplet abnormalities in the mdt-28 knockdown germ line
In early embryos, lipid droplets and yolk particles are abundant,
providing precursors for membrane synthesis during rapid cell division
as well as energy for cellular processes until hatching. Fixed Nile red
staining showed abnormal lipid droplets in mdt-28(RNAi) oocytes and
embryos compared to the empty vector control. Individual lipid droplets
are easily distinguishable in control oocytes and in the early stage
embryo, however, lipid droplets in mdt-28(RNAi) oocytes and embryos
clump together, giving the appearance of brighter lipid staining in the
mdt-28(RNAi) germline (Fig. 3). However, this abnormal lipid droplet
appearance does not seem to affect embryonic development, as no abnormal
late stage embryos were observed in the mdt-28(RNAi)
worms. This observation implies that MDT-28 might be especially important
in the formation or stabilization of lipid droplets in the germ
line.