title: ANK repeat-domain of SHN-1 Is indispensable for in vivo SHN-1 function in C. elegans.
abstract: Shank protein is one of the postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins which play a major role in proper localization of proteins at membranes. The shn-1, a homolog of Shank in Caenorhabditis elegans, is expressed in neurons, pharynx, intestine, vulva and sperm. We have previously reported a possible genetic interaction between Shank and IP₃ receptor by examining shn-1 RNAi in IP₃ receptor (itr-1) mutant background. In order to show the direct interaction of Shank and IP₃ receptor as well as to show the direct in vivo function of Shank, we have characterized two different mutant alleles of shn-1, which have different deletions in the different domains. shn-1 mutants were observed for Ca²+-related behavioral defects with itr-1 mutants. We found that only shn-1 mutant defective in ANK repeat-domain showed significant defects in defecation, pharyngeal pumping and fertility. In addition, we found that shn-1 regulates defecation, pharyngeal pumping and probably male fertility with itr-1. Thus, we suggest that Shank ANK repeat-domain along with PDZ may play a crucial role in regulating Ca²+-signaling with IP₃ receptor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Chan
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Hyun-Ok
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jeong Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Byung-Jae
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D017089:Ankyrin Repeat; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003672:Defecation / Q000235:genetics; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D010614:Pharynx / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D034622:RNA Interference; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; C484510:SHN-1 protein, C elegans