Abstract
The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, possesses the most extensive known superfamily of cys-loop ligand-gated ion channels (cys-loop LGICs) consisting of 102 subunit-encoding genes. Less than half of these genes have been functionally characterised which include cation-permeable channels gated by acetylcholine (ACh) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as well as anion-selective channels gated by ACh, GABA, glutamate and serotonin. Following the guidelines set for genetic nomenclature for C. elegans, we have designated unnamed subunits as lgc genes (ligand-gated ion channels of the cys-loop superfamily). Phylogenetic analysis shows that several of these lgc subunits form distinct groups which may represent novel cys-loop LGIC subtypes. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-47 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Invertebrate Neuroscience |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2008 |
Keywords
- Acetylcholine
- Caenorhabditis elegans
- GABA
- Glutamate
- Ion channel
- Serotonin