Multiple ace genes encoding acetylcholinesterases of Caenorhabditis elegans have distinct tissue expression

ace‐1 and ace‐2 genes encoding acetylcholinesterase in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans present 35% identity in coding sequences but no homology in noncoding regions (introns, 5′‐ and 3′‐untranslated regions). A 5′‐region of ace‐2 was defined by rescue of ace‐1;ace‐2 mutants. When green fluoresce...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The European journal of neuroscience 2003-08, Vol.18 (3), p.497-512
Main Authors: Combes, Didier, Fedon, Yann, Toutant, Jean-Pierre, Arpagaus, Martine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetylcholinesterase - genetics
Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans - genetics
Caenorhabditis elegans - metabolism
cholinesterases
Computer Science
Gene Expression
Genome
GFP
Isoenzymes - genetics
Life Sciences
Mutation
operon
Phenotype
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
sensory neurons
Transcription, Genetic
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:ace‐1 and ace‐2 genes encoding acetylcholinesterase in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans present 35% identity in coding sequences but no homology in noncoding regions (introns, 5′‐ and 3′‐untranslated regions). A 5′‐region of ace‐2 was defined by rescue of ace‐1;ace‐2 mutants. When green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression was driven by this regulatory region, the resulting pattern was distinct from that of ace‐1. This latter gene is expressed in all body‐wall and vulval muscle cells (Culetto et al., 1999), whereas ace‐2 is expressed almost exclusively in neurons. ace‐3 and ace‐4 genes are located in close proximity on chromosome II (Combes et al., 2000). These two genes were first transcribed in vivo as a bicistronic messenger and thus constitute an ace‐3;ace‐4 operon. However, there was a very low level of monocistronic mRNA of ace‐4 (the upstream gene) in vivo, and no ACE‐4 enzymatic activity was ever detected. GFP expression driven by a 5′ upstream region of the ace‐3;ace‐4 operon was detected in several muscle cells of the pharynx (pm3, pm4, pm5 and pm7) and in the two canal associated neurons (CAN cells). A dorsal row of body‐wall muscle cells was intensively labelled in larval stages but no longer detected in adults. The distinct tissue‐specific expression of ace‐1, ace‐2 and ace‐3 (coexpressed only in pm5 cells) indicates that ace genes are not redundant.
ISSN:0953-816X
1460-9568
DOI:10.1046/j.1460-9568.2003.02749.x