MEC-10 and MEC-19 Reduce the Neurotoxicity of the MEC-4(d) DEG/ENaC Channel in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: The Caenorhabditis elegans DEG/ENaC proteins MEC-4 and MEC-10 transduce gentle touch in the six touch receptor neurons . Gain-of-function mutations of mec-4 and mec-4(d) result in a hyperactive channel and neurodegeneration in vivo Loss of MEC-6, a putative DEG/ENaC-specific chaperone, and of the similar protein POML-1 suppresses the neurodegeneration caused by a mec-4(d) mutation. We find that mutation of two genes, mec-10 and a new gene mec-19 (previously named C49G9.1), prevents this action of POML-1, allowing the touch receptor neurons to die in poml-1 mec-4(d) animals. The proteins encoded by these genes normally inhibit mec-4(d) neurotoxicity through different mechanisms. MEC-10, a subunit of the mechanosensory transduction channel with MEC-4, inhibits MEC-4(d) activity without affec

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4825646 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature