CHE-3, a cytosolic dynein heavy chain, is required for sensory cilia structure and function in Caenorhabditis elegans

Forward genetic screens using novel assays of nematode chemotaxis to solubl e compounds identified three independent transposon-insertion mutations in the gene encoding the Caenorhabditis elegans dynein heavy chain (DHC) 1b is oform. These disruptions were mapped and cloned using a newly developed PCR -based transposon display. The mutations were demonstrated to be allelic to the che-3 genetic locus. This isoform of dynein shows temporally and spati ally restricted expression in ciliated sensory neurons, and mutants show pr ogressive developmental defects of the chemosensory cilia. These results ar e consistent with a role for this motor protein in the process of intraflag ellar transport; DHC 1b acts in concert with a number of other proteins to establish and maintain the structural integrity of the ciliated sensory end ings in C. elegans. (C) 2000 Academic Press.