Abstract
We have cloned a Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit gene from Caenorhabditis elegans and discovered that it is identical to the gene eat-6, eat-6 mutations cause feeble contractions and slow, delayed relaxations of pharyngeal muscle. The resting membrane potential of eat-6 mutant pharynxes is consistently depolarized compared to wild-type. The action potentials are smaller, and the return to resting potential is slower. To explain these abnormalities, we propose that a reduction of Na,K-ATPase activity in eat-6 mutants leads to a reduction of the ion concentration gradients that power membrane potential changes.
Publication types
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Amino Acid Sequence
-
Animals
-
Base Sequence
-
Caenorhabditis elegans / enzymology*
-
Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
-
Chromosome Mapping
-
Denervation
-
Electrophysiology
-
Genes*
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Muscle Contraction
-
Mutation*
-
Nervous System Physiological Phenomena
-
Oligonucleotide Probes / genetics
-
Ouabain / pharmacology
-
Pharyngeal Muscles / cytology
-
Pharyngeal Muscles / innervation
-
Pharyngeal Muscles / physiology*
-
Phenotype
-
Reproduction
-
Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / genetics*
-
Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / physiology*
Substances
-
Oligonucleotide Probes
-
Ouabain
-
Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase