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XB-ART-9329
Mol Cell Neurosci 2001 Mar 01;173:589-99. doi: 10.1006/mcne.2000.0944.
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Characterization of the deg-3/des-2 receptor: a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that mutates to cause neuronal degeneration.

Yassin L , Gillo B , Kahan T , Halevi S , Eshel M , Treinin M .


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The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor family (nAChR) is a large family of acetylcholine-gated cation channels. Here we characterize the Caenorhabditis elegans DEG-3/DES-2 nAChR, a receptor identified due to its involvement in neuronal degeneration. Pharmacological analysis of a DEG-3/DES-2 receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes shows that this receptor is preferentially activated by choline. This choline sensitivity of the DEG-3/DES-2 channel can explain its role in neuronal degeneration, as shown by the toxic effects of choline on oocytes expressing the mutant DEG-3/DES-2 channel. We also show that in C. elegans the DEG-3/DES-2 receptor is localized to nonsynaptic regions, including the sensory endings of chemosensory neurons. This localization is in agreement with a role for this receptor in chemosensation of choline, as inferred from a defect in chemotaxis for choline seen in deg-3 mutants. Thus, this work also provides evidence for the diversity of nonsynaptic activities associated with nAChRs.

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Species referenced: Xenopus
Genes referenced: des.1 des.2