Gene interactions affecting mechanosensory transduction in Caenorhabditis elegans (original) (raw)

Nature volume 367, pages 467–470 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

GENETIC screening has identified a group of_mec_ (mechanosensory) genes that are required for the function of a set of six touch-receptor neurons in the nematode _Caenorhabditis elegans_1,2. Such genes potentially encode components of the mechanosensory apparatus. We have cloned one of these genes, mec-10, which is a member of the degenerin gene family (genes such as mec-4 and deg-1 (refs 3, 4) that can be mutated to cause neurodegeneration). Because components of an amiloride-sensitive sodium channel (α, β and γrENaC) from rat6–8 share considerable sequence similarity with the C. elegans genes, it is likely that degenerins may function as channel proteins. Here we show that two degenerin homologues (mec-4 and mec-10) are expressed in the same cells, although each provides a unique function. Based on genetic data of mutations affecting _mec-10_-induced degeneration, we propose that the products of three genes (mec-4, mec-10 and mec-6) form a complex needed for mechanosensation, and that several other mec genes may be important in regulating the putative channel complex.

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, 1012 Fairchild Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10027, USA
    Mingxia Huang & Martin Chalfie

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  1. Mingxia Huang
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  2. Martin Chalfie
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Huang, M., Chalfie, M. Gene interactions affecting mechanosensory transduction in Caenorhabditis elegans.Nature 367, 467–470 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/367467a0

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