Mutations in a C. elegans G sub(q) alpha gene disrupt movement, egg laying, and viability

We find that C. elegans egl-30 encodes a heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit more than 80% identical to mammalian G sub(q) alpha family proteins, and which can function as a G sub(q) alpha subunit in COS-7 cells. We have identified new egl-30 alleles in a selection for genes involved in the C. el...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 1996-01, Vol.16 (5), p.999-1009
Main Authors: Brundage, L, Avery, L, Katz, A, Kim, U-J, Mendel, JE, Sternberg, P W, Simon, MI
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Caenorhabditis elegans
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Summary:We find that C. elegans egl-30 encodes a heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit more than 80% identical to mammalian G sub(q) alpha family proteins, and which can function as a G sub(q) alpha subunit in COS-7 cells. We have identified new egl-30 alleles in a selection for genes involved in the C. elegans acetylcholine response. Two egl-30 alleles specify premature termination of G sub(q) alpha and are essentially lethal in homozygotes. Animals homozygous for six other egl-30 alleles are viable and fertile, but exhibit delayed egg laying and leave flattened tracks. Overexpression of the wild-type egl-30 gene produces the opposite behavior. Analysis of these mutants suggest that their phenotypes reflect defects in the muscle or neuromuscular junction.
ISSN:0896-6273