Expression of multiple UNC-13 proteins in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system

Citation
Re. Kohn et al., Expression of multiple UNC-13 proteins in the Caenorhabditis elegans nervous system, MOL BIOL CE, 11(10), 2000, pp. 3441-3452
Citations number
48
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
ISSN journal
10591524 → ACNP
Volume
11
Issue
10
Year of publication
2000
Pages
3441 - 3452
Database
ISI
SICI code
1059-1524(200010)11:10<3441:EOMUPI>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans UNC-13 protein and its mammalian homologues are important for normal neurotransmitter release, We have identified a set of transcripts from the unc-13 locus in C. elegans resulting from alternative splicing and apparent alternative promoters. These transcripts encode prote ins that are identical in their C-terminal regions but that vary in their N -terminal regions. The most abundant protein form is localized to most or a ll synapses. We have analyzed the sequence alterations, immunostaining patt erns, and behavioral phenotypes of 31 independent unc-13 alleles. Many of t hese mutations are transcript-specific; their phenotypes suggest that the d ifferent UNC-13 forms have different cellular functions. We have also isola ted a deletion allele that is predicted to disrupt all UNC-13 protein produ cts; animals homozygous for this null allele are able to complete embryogen esis and hatch, but they die as paralyzed first-stage larvae. Transgenic ex pression of the entire gene rescues the behavior of mutants fully; transgen ic overexpression of one of the transcripts can partially compensate for th e genetic loss of another. This finding suggests some degree of functional overlap of the different protein products.