Abstract
Biogenic amines such as serotonin and dopamine are intercellular signaling molecules that function widely as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. We have identified in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans three ligand-gated chloride channels that are receptors for biogenic amines: LGC-53 is a high-affinity dopamine receptor, LGC-55 is a high-affinity tyramine receptor, and LGC-40 is a low-affinity serotonin receptor that is also gated by choline and acetylcholine. lgc-55 mutants are defective in a behavior that requires endogenous tyramine, which indicates that this ionotropic tyramine receptor functions in tyramine signaling in vivo. Our studies suggest that direct activation of membrane chloride conductances is a general mechanism of action for biogenic amines in the modulation of C. elegans behavior.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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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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Biogenic Amines / metabolism*
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Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / chemistry
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
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Chloride Channels / chemistry
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Chloride Channels / genetics
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Chloride Channels / metabolism*
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Dopamine / metabolism
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Genes, Helminth
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Ligands
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Membrane Potentials / drug effects
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Mutant Proteins / metabolism
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Oocytes
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Receptors, Biogenic Amine / chemistry
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Receptors, Biogenic Amine / genetics
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Receptors, Biogenic Amine / metabolism*
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Serotonin / metabolism
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Tyramine / metabolism
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Xenopus
Substances
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Biogenic Amines
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Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
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Chloride Channels
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LGC-40 protein, C elegans
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LGC-53 protein, C elegans
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LGC-55 protein, c elegans
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Ligands
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Mutant Proteins
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Receptors, Biogenic Amine
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Serotonin
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Dopamine
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Tyramine