Characterization of a null mutation in ace-1, the gene encoding class A acetylcholinesterase in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
Two genes (ace-1 and ace-2) encode two major classes (A and B) of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. A null mutation in ace-1 (allele p1000) suppresses all acetylcholinesterase activity of class A. We have identified an opal mutation TGG (W99)-->TGA (Stop) as the only alteration in the mutated gene. This leads to a truncated protein (98 instead of 620 amino acids) with no enzymatic activity. The mutation also reduces the level of ace-1 transcripts to only 10% of that in wild-type animals. This most likely results from a destabilization of mRNA containing the nonsense message. In contrast, compensation of class B by class A AChE in the null mutant strain ace-2 takes place with unchanged ace-1 mRNA level and enzymatic activity similar to class A AChE.
Différenciation cellulaire et Croissance, Physiologie animale INRA, Montpellier, France.
V
V
Talesa
E
E
Culetto
N
N
Schirru
H
H
Bernardi
Y
Y
Fedon
J P
JP
Toutant
M
M
Arpagaus
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000201:enzymology*; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase