Identification of a putative structural gene for cathepsin D in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans having about 10% of wild-type activity of the aspartyl protease cathepsin D have been isolated by screening. Mutant homozygotes have normal growth rates and no obvious morphological or developmental abnormalities. The mutant gene (cad-1) has been mapped to the right extremity of linkage group II. Heterozygous animals (cad-1/+) show intermediate enzyme levels and animals heterozygous for chromosomal deficiencies of the right extremity of linkage group II have 50% of wild-type activity. Cathepsin D purified from a mutant strain has a lower activity per unit mass of pure enzyme. These data suggest that cad-1 is a structural gene for cathepsin D.
Jacobson
L A
LA
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260.
Jen-Jacobson
L
L
Hawdon
J M
JM
Owens
G P
GP
Bolanowski
M A
MA
Emmons
S W
SW
Shah
M V
MV
Pollock
R A
RA
Conklin
D S
DS
D000818:Animals; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005796:Genes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006720:Homozygote; D009154:Mutation
D002402:Cathepsin D