Behavioral analysis of the huntingtin-associated protein 1 ortholog trak-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans

• Published in: Journal of neuroscience research 2016-09, Vol.94 (9), p.850-856
• Main Authors: Norflus, Fran, Bu, Jingnan, Guyton, Evon, Gutekunst, Claire-Anne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aldicarb - pharmacology; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins - genetics; Chemotaxis - genetics; Cholinesterase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Gene Knockout Techniques; huntingtin-associated protein 1; Motor Activity; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; neurons; Osmolar Concentration; Reproduction - drug effects; Sensation; Synapses; Synaptic Transmission; T27A3.1; trak-1
• ISSN: 0360-4012; 1097-4547
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23756

The precise role of huntingtin‐associated protein 1 (HAP1) is not known, but studies have shown that it is important for early development and survival. A Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of HAP1, T27A3.1 (also called trak‐1), has been found and is expressed in a subset of neurons. Potential behavioral functions of three knockout lines of T27A3.1 were examined. From its suspected role in mice we hypothesize that T27A3.1 might be involved in egg hatching and early growth, mechanosensation, chemosensation, sensitivity to osmolarity, and synaptic transmission. Our studies show that the knockout worms are significantly different from the wild‐type (WT) worms only in the synaptic transmission test, which was measured by adding aldicarb, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The change in function was determined by measuring the number of worms paralyzed. However, when the T27A3.1 worms were tested for egg hatching and early growth, mechanosensation, chemosensation, and sensitivity to osmolarity, there were no significant differences between the knockout and WT worms. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. A Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of huntingtin‐associated protein 1 has been identified as trak‐1 and is expressed in a subset of neurons. Behavioral tests were performed on the knockout worms, and the tests reveal that the knockout worms have defects in synaptic transmission compared with WT worms.