Abstract
Mutants 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.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Antibodies
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Blotting, Western
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Caenorhabditis / genetics
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Caenorhabditis / growth & development
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Caenorhabditis / physiology*
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Cloning, Molecular
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Genes
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Larva
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Neurons / physiology*
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Peptides / chemical synthesis
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Peptides / immunology
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / isolation & purification
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
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Sensory Receptor Cells / physiology*
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Touch
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Tubulin / genetics*
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Tubulin / isolation & purification
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Tubulin / metabolism
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beta-Galactosidase / genetics
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beta-Galactosidase / isolation & purification
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beta-Galactosidase / metabolism
Substances
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Antibodies
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Peptides
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Tubulin
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beta-Galactosidase