Absence of a subset of SET-domain HMTases results in elevated apoptosis in the heterogametic (X0) germ line.

Apoptotic bodies were scored by quantifying CED-1::GFP expressing nuclei per gonad arm. L4 wild-type XX hermaphrodites or young adult fem-3(lf) X0 females expressing CED-1::GFP were transferred to RNAi feeding plates (see Materials and Methods) and scored after approx. 48 hrs. fem-3(lf) X0 germ lines have an overall lower level of apoptosis than wild-type XX germ lines, which is presumably a consequence of delayed meiotic progression due to the absence of sperm production [5], [13], [14]. Total number of gonads examined: N2 L4440 XX, N = 457; met-1(RNAi) XX, N = 55; met-2(RNAi) XX, N = 129; mes-2(RNAi) XX, N = 63; fem-3(lf) L4440 X0, N = 383; fem-3(lf);met-1(RNAi) X0, N = 73; fem-3(lf);met-2(RNAi) X0, N = 141; fem-3(lf);mes-2(RNAi) X0, N = 82. Data shown are means ± S.E.M., and statistical comparisons between RNAi knockdown and empty L4440 vector were determined using a two-tailed Mann-Whitney test;
*denotes p<0.0001. See Table S1 for entire data set from directed RNAi screen.