Kelly Howell et al. (2002) East Coast Worm Meeting "Expression and localization of UNC-13 proteins in C. elegans"

Kristen Servent, Kelly Howell, Judith Lytle, Lynn Schwarting, Rebecca E Kohn

[East Coast Worm Meeting, 2002]

We are analyzing the expression patterns of different forms of UNC-13 proteins. unc-13 mutants are severely uncoordinated and are resistant to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The most abundant protein product expressed from this gene, UNC-13 LR, localizes to synapses (Kohn, 2000). UNC-13 interacts with other presynaptic proteins and affects vesicle priming (Richmond, 2001). While some mammalian homologues are found in the nervous system (Brose, 1995), the human homologue is expressed in kidneys (Song, 1999). The C. elegans unc-13 gene is predicted to express several different protein products including UNC-13 LR, UNC-13 LMR, and UNC-13 MR. L represents the left region of the protein, M represents the middle, and R represents the right. Mutations in the unc-13 L region of the gene alter expression of some protein products and result in uncoordinated movement. A large deletion in the unc-13 R region, which would eliminate all protein products, results in lethality (Kohn, 2000). We are developing antibodies to determine the localization of the different forms of UNC-13 proteins to explore the possibility that these proteins have different functions. Specifically, we are making antibodies that recognize the UNC-13 M and UNC-13 R regions. We are interested in determining whether all forms of the protein are found in neurons, and where proteins are localized within neurons. Knowledge of the localization patterns of the proteins will enable us to explore possible functions of these proteins.