線虫C.エレガンスを用いた興奮収縮連関の解析

抄録

Genes participating in excitation-contraction coupling in Caenorhabditis elegans are cloned and these mutant phenotypes are characterized. These are the ryanodime receptor gene unc-68, troponin C gene pat-10 and tropomyosin gene lev-11. Unc-68 mutant animal is viable and has weak phenotype even in the null mutation. Contrary to our expectation, mutant analysis on pat-10 and lev-11 suggests that functional defects of the proteins affect not only function of muscle contraction but also muscle development of the animal. Experimental strategy and procedures are also useful for those who have interest in handling the model animal.