The mec-7 beta-tubulin gene of Caenorhabditis elegans is expressed primarily in the touch receptor neurons.
1992; Springer Nature; Volume: 11; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1002/j.1460-2075.1992.tb05357.x
ISSN1460-2075
AutoresMichel Hamelin, Ian M. Scott, Jeffrey C. Way, Joseph G. Culotti,
Tópico(s)Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
ResumoMutants of the mec-7 beta-tubulin gene of Caenorhabditis elegans lack the large diameter 15-protofilament microtubules normally found only in the set of six touch receptor neurons. Both a mec-7-lacZ reporter gene and affinity-purified anti-mec-7 antibodies were used to show that mec-7 is expressed primarily in the touch neurons. These data are consistent with a possible instructive role for the mec-7 tubulin in determining microtubule protofilament number. The antibodies and the mec-7-lacZ transgene were also used to examine mec-7 expression in mutants affecting the generation, differentiation or maintenance of the touch neurons. Decreased expression was observed in mutants of unc-86 and mec-3, genes that encode transcription factors essential for touch receptor neuron generation and differentiation, respectively.
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