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
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
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Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
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Carrier Proteins*
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DNA Primers
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DNA, Complementary / analysis
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Gene Expression
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Helminth Proteins / biosynthesis*
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Helminth Proteins / chemistry
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Helminth Proteins / genetics*
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Immunoblotting
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Larva
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Motor Neurons / metabolism*
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Phosphoproteins*
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Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
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Restriction Mapping
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Vesicular Transport Proteins*
Substances
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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Carrier Proteins
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DNA Primers
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DNA, Complementary
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Helminth Proteins
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Phosphoproteins
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Unc-18 protein, C elegans
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Vesicular Transport Proteins