The C. elegans unc-18 gene encodes a protein expressed in motor neurons

Neuron. 1993 Oct;11(4):703-11. doi: 10.1016/0896-6273(93)90080-b.

Abstract

The C. elegans unc-18 gene is required to maintain normal acetylcholine levels. We determined the complete structure of an unc-18 cDNA that encodes a protein of 591 highly charged and hydrophilic amino acids. The protein shows sequence similarity with elements of the secretory pathway in the yeast S. cerevisiae. Antibodies raised against a portion of the unc-18-encoded protein (UNC-18) detected a 68 kd soluble antigen on immunoblots and intensely stained all vertical cord motor neurons in situ. These findings suggest that UNC-18 participates in the axonal transport system and influences the acetylcholine flow in motor neurons.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • Carrier Proteins*
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary / analysis
  • Gene Expression
  • Helminth Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Helminth Proteins / chemistry
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics*
  • Immunoblotting
  • Larva
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Unc-18 protein, C elegans
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins