title: Genetic and developmental characterization of Dmca1D, a calcium channel alpha1 subunit gene in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: To begin unraveling the functional significance of calcium channel diversity, we identified mutations in Dmca1D, a Drosophila calcium channel alpha1 subunit cDNA that we recently cloned. These mutations constitute the l(2)35Fa lethal locus, which we rename Dmca1D. A severe allele, Dmca1D(X10), truncates the channel after the IV-S4 transmembrane domain. These mutants die as late embryos because they lack vigorous hatching movements. In the weaker allele, Dmca1D(AR66), a cysteine in transmembrane domain I-S1 is changed to tyrosine. Dmca1D(AR66) embryos hatch but pharate adults have difficulty eclosing. Those that do eclose have difficulty in fluid-filling of the wings. These studies show that this member of the calcium channel alpha1 subunit gene family plays a nonredundant, vital role in larvae and adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 14260-1200, USA.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Eberl
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Vactor
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D018388:Codon, Terminator; D003360:Cosmids; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D017344:Genes, Insect; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D016296:Mutagenesis; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: C112195:Ca-alpha1D protein, Drosophila; D015220:Calcium Channels; D018388:Codon, Terminator; D029721:Drosophila Proteins