A tetracycline-dependent ribozyme switch allows conditional induction of gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans represents an important research model. Convenient methods for conditional induction of gene expression in this organism are not available. Here we describe tetracycline-dependent ribozymes as versatile RNA-based genetic switches in C. elegans. Ribozyme insertion into the 3’-UTR converts any gene of interest into a tetracycline-inducible gene allowing temporal and, by using tissue-selective promoters, spatial control of expression in all developmental stages of the worm. Using the ribozyme switches we established inducible C. elegans polyglutamine Huntington’s disease models exhibiting ligand-controlled polyQ-huntingtin expression, inclusion body formation, and toxicity. Our approach circumvents the complicated expression of regulatory proteins. Moreover, only little coding space is necessary and natural promoters can be utilized. With these advantages tetracycline-dependent ribozymes significantly expand the genetic toolbox for C. elegans.