C. elegans has over 7000 genes in common with the human genome. Many biological processes inside human genome are similar to that in C. elegans, making it a promising ‘candidate’ for studying human-related diseases. with the completion of sequence of C. elegans in 1998, the metabolic pathway reconstruction of this species becomes possible. In this presentation we will report how the metabolic bionetwork of this species is reconstructed. Briefly, using PERL as the programming tool we retrieve genomic information from KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes and Genes); genes with known functions are then associated to corresponding pathways and bio-reactions if these genes harbor enzyme activities. As of April 2004, 22272 open reading frames of this species have been defined; among which, 1979 genes are distributed into 101 pathways. Eighty seven out of 101 possess metabolic functions, and the rest are waiting for further exploitation. One of the possible approaches to study gene functions is through the protein-protein interaction, such that a more detailed portrait of C. elegans may be achieved, resulting in a better illustration of the metabolic map for this species.

Keywords