scholarly journals enhancer of seizure: A New Genetic Locus in Drosophila melanogaster Defined by Interactions With Temperature-Sensitive Paralytic Mutations

Genetics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-431
Author(s):  
Durgadas P Kasbekar ◽  
James C Nelson ◽  
Linda M Hall

ABSTRACT Mutations in the enhancer of seizure (e(sei)) locus have been isolated on the basis of their ability to cause temperature-induced paralysis of alleles at the seizure (sei) locus at temperatures at which these mutations ordinarily do not paralyze. This enhancer is specific to the seizure locus and is without effect on other temperature-sensitive paralytic mutants including para, nap, tip-E and shi. This suggests that the enhancer responds specifically to the mechanism of paralysis mediated by the seizure mutations. The e(sei) is a recessive mutation which maps to 39.0 on the left arm of chromosome 3. Deficiency mapping has placed it at 69A4-B5 on the salivary gland polytene chromosome map. When a new enhancer allele was isolated following P-M hybrid dysgenesis, there was a concomitant P-element insertion at 69B. In the absence of seizure mutations, the enhancer mutation causes non-temperature dependent hyperactivity when agitated and interferes with the climbing response. Electrophysiological studies examined the effects of increasing temperature on electrical activity in the adult giant fiber/flight muscle system. Neuronal hyperactivity was seen in both e(sei) and sei single mutant homozygotes, but not in wild type. The hyperactivity was more severe in the sei;e(sei) double mutants. The correlation between the physiological effects and the mutant behavior suggests that both sei and e(sei) cause membrane excitability defects. Since previous work has shown that seizure mutants affect [3H]saxitoxin binding to the voltage-sensitive sodium channel, e(sei) may code for a gene product which interacts with this channel.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 833-841
Author(s):  
A Swaroop ◽  
J W Sun ◽  
M L Paco-Larson ◽  
A Garen

The Glued locus of Drosophila melanogaster is genetically defined as the functional unit which is affected by the dominant Glued mutation Gl. Genomic DNA was cloned from the region of the Glued locus, at 70C2 on chromosome 3, by using a P element insertion in the region as a molecular marker. Three genes encoding polyadenylated transcripts were detected within a 30-kilobase span of the cloned DNA. The gene nearest the P element insertion site was identified as a Glued gene on the basis of alterations in its DNA and encoded transcript associated with the Gl mutation and with reversions of Gl which eliminate the dominant effect by inactivation of the mutant allele. Expression of the wild-type Gl+ gene is temporally regulated during development; the amount of the encoded transcript is highest in the embryonic stage, decreasing in the first and second larval instars, and then increasing in the third instar and pupal stages. There is a maternal contribution of the Gl+ transcript to the embryo, which probably accounts for the maternal lethal effect of Glued mutations on early development. In situ hybridizations of Gl+ DNA to RNA in tissue sections showed that the Gl+ transcript is present in virtually all tissues of the embryo, late larva, and pupa. The general distribution of this transcript is consistent with genetic evidence indicating that the Glued locus controls a generally essential cell function (P. J. Harte and D. R. Kankel, Genetics 101:477-501, 1982). Different Glued mutations produce distinct phenotypic effects, including adults with severe visual defects, larvae lacking imaginal discs, and early lethality. These diverse mutant phenotypes are discussed in terms of quantitative changes in the Glued function. Closely adjacent to Gl+ is another gene which is transcribed in a divergent direction and expressed coordinately with Gl+ throughout Drosophila development. It remains to be determined whether this gene is also involved with the Glued function.


Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (18) ◽  
pp. 3931-3940 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Walker ◽  
D.G. Oppenheimer ◽  
J. Concienne ◽  
J.C. Larkin

Cell differentiation is generally tightly coordinated with the cell cycle, typically resulting in a nondividing cell with a unique differentiated morphology. The unicellular trichomes of Arabidopsis are a well-established model for the study of plant cell differentiation. Here, we describe a new genetic locus, SIAMESE (SIM), required for coordinating cell division and cell differentiation during the development of Arabidopsis trichomes (epidermal hairs). A recessive mutation in the sim locus on chromosome 5 results in clusters of adjacent trichomes that appeared to be morphologically identical ‘twins’. Upon closer inspection, the sim mutant was found to produce multicellular trichomes in contrast to the unicellular trichomes produced by wild-type (WT) plants. Mutant trichomes consisting of up to 15 cells have been observed. Scanning electron microscopy of developing sim trichomes suggests that the cell divisions occur very early in the development of mutant trichomes. WT trichome nuclei continue to replicate their DNA after mitosis and cytokinesis have ceased, and as a consequence have a DNA content much greater than 2C. This phenomenon is known as endoreduplication. Individual nuclei of sim trichomes have a reduced level of endoreduplication relative to WT trichome nuclei. Endoreduplication is also reduced in dark-grown sim hypocotyls relative to WT, but not in light-grown hypocotyls. Double mutants of sim with either of two other mutants affecting endoreduplication, triptychon (try) and glabra3 (gl3) are consistent with a function for SIM in endoreduplication. SIM may function as a repressor of mitosis in the endoreduplication cell cycle. Additionally, the relatively normal morphology of multicellular sim trichomes indicates that trichome morphogenesis can occur relatively normally even when the trichome precursor cell continues to divide. The sim mutant phenotype also has implications for the evolution of multicellular trichomes.


Genetics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
P E Mains ◽  
I A Sulston ◽  
W B Wood

Abstract We undertook screens for dominant, temperature-sensitive, maternal-effect embryonic-lethal mutations of Caenorhabditis elegans as a way to identify certain classes of genes with early embryonic functions, in particular those that are members of multigene families and those that are required in two copies for normal development. The screens have identified eight mutations, representing six loci. Mutations at three of the loci result in only maternal effects on embryonic viability. Mutations at the remaining three loci cause additional nonmaternal (zygotic) effects, including recessive lethality or sterility and dominant male mating defects. Mutations at five of the loci cause visible pregastrulation defects. Three mutations appear to be allelic with a recessive mutation of let-354. Gene dosage experiments indicate that one mutation may be a loss-of-function allele at a haploin sufficient locus. The other mutations appear to result in gain-of-function "poison" gene products. Most of these become less deleterious as the relative dosage of the corresponding wild-type allele is increased; we show that relative self-progeny viabilities for the relevant hermaphrodite genotypes are generally M/+/+ greater than M/+ greater than M/M/+ greater than M/Df greater than M/M, where M represents the dominant mutant allele.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (3) ◽  
pp. R541-R550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Ni ◽  
Qihai Gu ◽  
Hong-Zhen Hu ◽  
Na Gao ◽  
Michael X. Zhu ◽  
...  

A recent study has demonstrated that increasing the intrathoracic temperature from 36°C to 41°C induced a distinct stimulatory and sensitizing effect on vagal pulmonary C-fiber afferents in anesthetized rats ( J Physiol 565: 295–308, 2005). We postulated that these responses are mediated through a direct activation of the temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) receptors by hyperthermia. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of increasing temperature on pulmonary sensory neurons that were isolated from adult rat nodose/jugular ganglion and identified by retrograde labeling, using the whole cell perforated patch-clamping technique. Our results showed that increasing temperature from 23°C (or 35°C) to 41°C in a ramp pattern evoked an inward current, which began to emerge after exceeding a threshold of ∼34.4°C and then increased sharply in amplitude as the temperature was further increased, reaching a peak current of 173 ± 27 pA ( n = 75) at 41°C. The temperature coefficient, Q10, was 29.5 ± 6.4 over the range of 35–41°C. The peak inward current was only partially blocked by pretreatment with capsazepine (Δ I = 48.1 ± 4.7%, n = 11) or AMG 9810 (Δ I = 59.2 ± 7.8%, n = 8), selective antagonists of the TRPV1 channel, but almost completely abolished (Δ I = 96.3 ± 2.3%) by ruthenium red, an effective blocker of TRPV1–4 channels. Furthermore, positive expressions of TRPV1–4 transcripts and proteins in these neurons were demonstrated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry experiments, respectively. On the basis of these results, we conclude that increasing temperature within the normal physiological range can exert a direct stimulatory effect on pulmonary sensory neurons, and this effect is mediated through the activation of TRPV1, as well as other subtypes of TRPV channels.


eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lejla Zubcevic ◽  
William F Borschel ◽  
Allen L Hsu ◽  
Mario J Borgnia ◽  
Seok-Yong Lee

Temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid (thermoTRPV) channels are activated by ligands and heat, and are involved in various physiological processes. ThermoTRPV channels possess a large cytoplasmic ring consisting of N-terminal ankyrin repeat domains (ARD) and C-terminal domains (CTD). The cytoplasmic inter-protomer interface is unique and consists of a CTD coiled around a β-sheet which makes contacts with the neighboring ARD. Despite much existing evidence that the cytoplasmic ring is important for thermoTRPV function, the mechanism by which this unique structure is involved in thermoTRPV gating has not been clear. Here, we present cryo-EM and electrophysiological studies which demonstrate that TRPV3 gating involves large rearrangements at the cytoplasmic inter-protomer interface and that this motion triggers coupling between cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains, priming the channel for opening. Furthermore, our studies unveil the role of this interface in the distinct biophysical and physiological properties of individual thermoTRPV subtypes.


2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 2465-2478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jisue Lee ◽  
Chun-Fang Wu

A seizure-paralysis repertoire characteristic of Drosophila “bang-sensitive” mutants can be evoked electroconvulsively in tethered flies, in which behavioral episodes are associated with synchronized spike discharges in different body parts. Flight muscle DLMs (dorsal longitudinal muscles) display a stereotypic sequence of initial and delayed bouts of discharges (ID and DD), interposed with giant fiber (GF) pathway failure and followed by a refractory period. We examined how seizure susceptibility and discharge patterns are modified in various K+ and Na+ channel mutants. Decreased numbers of Na+ channels in nap ts flies drastically reduced susceptibility to seizure induction, eliminated ID, and depressed DD spike generation. Mutations of different K+ channels led to differential modifications of the various components in the repertoire. Altered transient K+ currents in Sh 133 and Hk mutants promoted ID induction. However, only Sh 133 but not Hk mutations increased DD seizure and GF pathway failure durations. Surprisingly, modifications in sustained K+ currents in eag and Shab mutants increased thresholds for DD induction and GF pathway failure. Nevertheless, both eag and Shab, like Sh 133, increased DD spike generation and recovery time from GF pathway failure. Interactions between channel mutations with the bang-sensitive mutation bss demonstrated the role of membrane excitability in stress-induced seizure-paralysis behavior. Seizure induction and discharges were suppressed by nap ts in bss nap double mutants, whereas Sh heightened seizure susceptibility in bss Sh 133 and bss Sh M double mutants. Our results suggest that individual seizure repertoire components reflect different neural network activities that could be differentially altered by mutations of specific ion channel subunits.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (27) ◽  
pp. 14511-14515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Shen ◽  
Haichao Liu ◽  
Jungang Cao ◽  
Shitong Zhang ◽  
Weijun Li ◽  
...  

An unusual blue shift in excimer fluorescence with increasing temperature was observed from a crystal with a discrete π–π anthracene dimer.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 3150-3157 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Irie ◽  
K Yamaguchi ◽  
K Kawase ◽  
K Matsumoto

The STE4 gene encodes the beta subunit of a heterotrimeric G protein that is an essential component of the pheromone signal transduction pathway. To identify downstream component(s) of Ste4, we sought pseudo-revertants that restored mating competence to ste4 mutants. The suppressor mot2 was isolated as a recessive mutation that restored conjugational competence to a temperature-sensitive ste4 mutant and simultaneously conferred a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype. The MOT2 gene encodes a putative zinc finger protein, the deletion of which resulted in temperature-sensitive growth, increased expression of FUS1 in the absence of pheromones, and suppression of a deletion of the alpha-factor receptor. On the other hand, sterility resulting from deletion of STE4 was not suppressed by the mot2 deletion. These phenotypes are similar to those associated with temperature-sensitive mutations in CDC36 and CDC39, which are proposed to encode general negative regulators of transcription rather than factors involved in the pheromone response pathway. Deletion of MOT2 also caused increased transcription of unrelated genes such as GAL7 and PHO84. Overexpression of MOT2 suppresses the growth defect of temperature-sensitive mutations in CDC36 and CDC39. These observations suggest that Mot2 functions as a general negative regulator of transcription in the same processes as Cdc36 and Cdc39.


1984 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 1291-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
H D Shine ◽  
R L Sidman

Shiverer (shi) is an autosomal recessive mutation in mice that results in hypomyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) but normal myelination in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Myelin basic proteins (MBPs) are virtually absent in both PNS and CNS. It is not known whether the cellular target in the PNS is the myelin-forming Schwann cell or another cell type which secondarily affects the Schwann cell. To determine the cellular target of the shi gene, we have adapted tissue culture techniques that allow co-culture of pure populations of mouse sensory neurons of one genotype with Schwann cells and fibroblasts of another genotype under conditions that permit myelin formation. These cultures were stained immunocytochemically as whole mounts to determine whether MBPs were expressed under various in vitro conditions. In single-genotype cultures, presence or absence of MBPs was consistent with earlier in vivo results: +/+ cultures were MBP-positive and shi/shi cultures were MBP-negative. In mixed-genotype cultures, visualization of MBPs in myelin accorded with the genotype of the non-neuronal Schwann cells and fibroblasts and not with the neurons--those cultures that contained +/+ non-neuronal cells were MBP-positive and those with shi/shi non-neuronal cells were MBP-negative, independent of the neuronal genotype. These results rule out neurons or circulating substances as mediators of the influence of the shi genetic locus on MBP synthesis and deposition in peripheral myelin.


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