Identification of genes involved in the ciliary trafficking of C. elegans PKD-2.
Ciliary membrane proteins are important extracellular sensors, and defects in their localization may have profound developmental and physiological consequences. To determine how sensory receptors localize to cilia, we performed a forward genetic screen and identified 11 mutants with defects in the ciliary localization (cil) of C. elegans PKD-2, a transient receptor potential polycystin (TRPP) channel. Class A cil mutants exhibit defects in PKD-2::GFP somatodendritic localization while Class B cil mutants abnormally accumulate PKD-2::GFP in cilia. Further characterization reveals that some genes mutated in cil mutants act in a tissue-specific manner while others are likely to play more general roles in such processes as intraflagellar transport (IFT). To this end, we identified a Class B mutation that disrupts the function of the cytoplasmic dynein light intermediate chain gene xbx-1. Identification of the remaining mutations will reveal novel molecular pathways required for ciliary receptor localization and provide further insight into mechanisms of ciliary signaling.
Bae
Young-Kyung
YK
Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
Lyman-Gingerich
Jamie
J
Barr
Maureen M
MM
Knobel
Karla M
KM
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002923:Cilia / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology; D004398:Dyneins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005820:Genetic Testing; D009154:Mutation; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010641:Phenotype; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D050396:TRPP Cation Channels / Q000378:metabolism*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C527777:PKD-2 protein, C elegans; D050396:TRPP Cation Channels; D004398:Dyneins