Macoilin, a conserved nervous system-specific ER membrane protein that regulates neuronal excitability.

ABSTRACT: Genome sequence comparisons have highlighted many novel gene families that are conserved across animal phyla but whose biological function is unknown. Here, we functionally characterize a member of one such family, the macoilins. Macoilins are characterized by several highly conserved predicted transmembrane domains towards the N-terminus and by coiled-coil regions C-terminally. They are found throughout Eumetazoa but not in other organisms. Mutants for the single Caenorhabditis elegans macoilin, maco-1, exhibit a constellation of behavioral phenotypes, including defects in aggregation, O₂ responses, and swimming. MACO-1 protein is expressed broadly and specifically in the nervous system and localizes to the rough endoplasmic reticulum; it is excluded from dendrites and axons. Apart from s

SUBMITTER: Arellano-Carbajal F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3060067 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature