G(o)alpha and diacylglycerol kinase negatively regulate the G(q)alpha pathway in C-elegans

We investigated the EGL-30 (G(q)alpha) pathway in C. elegans by using genet ic screens to identify genes that confer phenotypes similar to egl-30 mutan ts. One such gene, egl-8, encodes a phospholipase CP that is present throug hout the nervous system and near intestinal cell junctions. EGL-30 and EGL- 8 appear to positively regulate synaptic transmission because reducing thei r function results in strong aldicarb resistance and slow locomotion rates. In contrast, GOA-1 (G(o)alpha) and DGK-1 (diacylglycerol kinase) appear to negatively regulate synaptic transmission, because reducing their function results in strong aldicarb hypersensitivity and hyperactive locomotion. A genetic analysis suggests that GOA-1 negatively regulates the EGL-30 pathwa y and that DGK-1 antagonizes the EGL-30 pathway.