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Genetic interactions affecting touch sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

G Gu·G A Caldwell·M Chalfie
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Abstract

At least 13 genes (mec-1, mec-2, mec-4-10, mec-12, mec-14, mec-15, and mec-18) are needed for the response to gentle touch by 6 touch receptor neurons in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Several, otherwise recessive alleles of some of these genes act as dominant enhancer mutations of temperature-sensitive alleles of mec-4, mec-5, mec-6, mec-12, and mec-15. Screens for additional dominant enhancers of mec-4 and mec-5 yielded mutations in previously known genes. In addition, some mec-7 alleles showed allele-specific, dominant suppression of the mec-15 touch-insensitive (Mec) phenotype. The dominant enhancement and suppression exhibited by these mutations suggest that the products of several touch genes interact. These results are consistent with a model, supported by the known sequences of these genes, that almost all of the touch function genes contribute to the mechanosensory apparatus.

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AllelesAnimalsCaenorhabditis elegansEnhancer Elements, GeneticGenes, HelminthMechanoreceptorsMutationSignal TransductionJournal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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G Gu, G A Caldwell, M Chalfie. 1996-06-25. Genetic interactions affecting touch sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans.. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.93.13.6577

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