Identified neurons in C. elegans coexpress vesicular transporters for acetylcholine and monoamines.
We have identified four neurons (VC4, VC5, HSNL, HSNR) in Caenorhabditis elegans adult hermaphrodites that express both the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and the vesicular monoamine transporter. All four of these cells are motor neurons that innervate the egg-laying muscles of the vulva. In addition, they all express choline acetyltransferase, the synthetic enzyme for acetylcholine. The distributions of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and the vesicular monoamine transporter are not identical within the individual cells. In mutants deficient for either of these transporters, there is no apparent compensatory change in the expression of the remaining transporter. This is the first report of neurons that express two different vesicular neurotransmitter transporters in vivo.
Duerr
J S
JS
Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Janet-Duerr@omrf.ouhsc.edu
Gaskin
J
J
Rand
J B
JB
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D050494:Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins; D050492:Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D050494:Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins; D050492:Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins; D050493:Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin