AN ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE-DEFICIENT MUTANT OF THE NEMATODE CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

Carl D. Johnson ¹, John G. Duckett ¹, Joseph G. Culotti ¹, Robert K. Herman ², Philip M. Meneely ², and Richard L. Russell ¹

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
² Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55101

Within a set of five separable molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase found in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, previously reported differences in kinetic properties identify two classes, A and B, likely to be under separate genetic control. Using differences between these classes in sensitivity to inactivation by sodium deoxycholate, a screening procedure was devised to search for mutants affected only in class A forms. Among 171 previously isolated behavioral and morphological mutant strains examined by this procedure, one (PR946) proved to be of the expected type, exhibiting a selective deficiency of class A acetylcholinesterase forms. Although originally isolated because of its uncoordinated behavior, this strain was subsequently shown to harbor mutations in two genes; one in the previously identified gene unc-3, accounting for its behavior, and one in a newly identified gene, ace-1, accounting for its selective acetylcholinesterase deficiency. Derivatives homozygous only for the ace-1 mutation also lacked class A acetylcholinesterase forms, but were behaviorally and developmentally indistinguishable from wild type. The gene ace-1 has been mapped near the right end of the X chromosome. Gene dosage experiments suggest that it may be a structural gene for a component of class A acetylcholinesterase forms.

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