Question #1: Find the closest homolog to NPC1 in C. elegans.
by searching the C. elegans protein database with the protein I gave you using protein blast you should bring up ncr-1 (which stands for NPC1-related protein



Question #2: On what C. elegans chromosome does the homolog reside?
Clicking on the accession number circled above brings up all the information about the protein you are interested in including that it is on the X Chromosome




Question #3: Find and give the accession number of at least one EST containing the C. elegans homolog
Taking the DNA sequence, which can be obtained by clicking on the first link above calling up the Refseq entry, and searching it against the elegans EST sequences brings up any of the following EST accession numbers:





Question #4 What can we find out from searching ESTs? What information is gained from this information?
EST databases can provide some or all of the following information:
1. Indication of actual gene expression.
2. Alternative splice forms of the gene product.
3. Tissue specific expression.
None of the above information is obvious from genomic sequence alone.

Question #5: Bonus Question Using the C. elegans genome browser see if you can figure out where the C. elegans orthologue is expressed in worms
from wormbase: "ncr-1 expression is widespread and largely coincides with the reported distribution pattern of cholesterol in C. elegans, which includes the following tissues: intestine, pharynx, excretory gland cell, nerve ring, spermatheca and germ cells, including both oocytes and sperm."