Genetic and developmental characterization of Dmca1D, a calcium channel alpha1 subunit gene in Drosophila melanogaster.
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.
Eberl
D F
DF
Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 14260-1200, USA.
Ren
D
D
Feng
G
G
Lorenz
L J
LJ
Van Vactor
D
D
Hall
L M
LM
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
C112195:Ca-alpha1D protein, Drosophila; D015220:Calcium Channels; D018388:Codon, Terminator; D029721:Drosophila Proteins