Mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit gene, eat-6, disrupt excitable cell function.
We have cloned a Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit gene from Caenorhabditis elegans and discovered that it is identical to the gene eat-6, eat-6 mutations cause feeble contractions and slow, delayed relaxations of pharyngeal muscle. The resting membrane potential of eat-6 mutant pharynxes is consistently depolarized compared to wild-type. The action potentials are smaller, and the return to resting potential is slower. To explain these abnormalities, we propose that a reduction of Na,K-ATPase activity in eat-6 mutants leads to a reduction of the ion concentration gradients that power membrane potential changes.
Davis
M W
MW
Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9038, USA.
Somerville
D
D
Lee
R Y
RY
Lockery
S
S
Avery
L
L
Fambrough
D M
DM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003714:Denervation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005796:Genes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009154:Mutation; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000235:genetics; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012098:Reproduction; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010042:Ouabain; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase