Kinesin-related gene unc-104 is required for axonal transport of synaptic vesicles in C. elegans.
unc-104 encodes a novel kinesin paralog that may act as a microtubule-based motor in the nervous system. Neuronal cell lineages and axonogenesis are normal in unc-104 null mutants, but axons have few synaptic vesicles and make only a few small synapses. By contrast, neuron cell bodies have surfeits of similar vesicles tethered together within the cytoplasm. Based on behavioral and cellular phenotypes, we suggest that UNC-104 is a neuron-specific motor used for anterograde translocation of synaptic vesicles along axonal microtubules. Other membrane-bounded organelles are transported normally.
Hall
D H
DH
Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461.
Hedgecock
E M
EM
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005298:Fertility; D005796:Genes; D016547:Kinesins; D007814:Larva; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008868:Microtubule Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009068:Movement; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009154:Mutation; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology*
D008868:Microtubule Proteins; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D016547:Kinesins