Functional genomics of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene family of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that bring about a diversity of fast synaptic actions. Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans genome has revealed one of the most-extensive and diverse nAChR gene families known, consisting of at least 27 subunits. Striking variation with possible functional implications has been observed in normally conserved motifs at the acetylcholine-binding site and in the channel-lining region. Some nAChR subunits are particular to neurons whilst others are present in both neurons and muscles. The localization of subunits in non-synaptic regions suggests novel roles for nAChRs. Genetic and heterologous expression studies have identified a subset of nAChR subunits that are important drug targets while the study of mutants has identified genes functionally-linked to nAChRs. Future studies using C. elegans offer the prospect of increasing our understanding of the functional diversity of a complex nAChR gene family as well as addressing the role of nAChRs and associated proteins in human disorders.
Jones
Andrew K
AK
MRC Functional Genetics Unit, Department of Human Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX.
Sattelle
David B
DB
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins