A genetic selection for Caenorhabditis elegans synaptic transmission mutants

摘要

We have isolated 165 Caenorhabditis elegans mutants, representing 21 genes, that are resistant to inhibitors of cholinesterase (Ric mutants). Since mutations in 20 of the genes appear not to affect acetylcholine reception, we suggest that reduced acetylcholine release contributes to the Ric phenotype of most Ric mutants. Mutations in 15 of the genes lead to defects in a γ-aminobutyric acid-dependent behavior; these genes are likely to encode proteins with general, rather than cholinergic-specific, roles in synaptic transmission.