The Drosophila gene CheB42a is a novel modifier of Deg/ENaC channel function

Yehuda Ben-Shahar; Beika Lu; Daniel M Collier; Peter M Snyder; Mikael Schnizler; Michael J Welsh

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009395

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The Drosophila gene CheB42a is a novel modifier of Deg/ENaC channel function

Journal article

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The Drosophila gene CheB42a is a novel modifier of Deg/ENaC channel function

Yehuda Ben-Shahar, Beika Lu, Daniel M Collier, Peter M Snyder, Mikael Schnizler and Michael J Welsh

PloS one, Vol.5(2), pp.e9395-e9395

02/24/2010

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009395

PMCID: PMC2827562

PMID: 20195381

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Abstract

Degenerin/epithelial Na(+) channels (DEG/ENaC) represent a diverse family of voltage-insensitive cation channels whose functions include Na(+) transport across epithelia, mechanosensation, nociception, salt sensing, modification of neurotransmission, and detecting the neurotransmitter FMRFamide. We previously showed that the Drosophila melanogaster Deg/ENaC gene lounge lizard (llz) is co-transcribed in an operon-like locus with another gene of unknown function, CheB42a. Because operons often encode proteins in the same biochemical or physiological pathway, we hypothesized that CHEB42A and LLZ might function together. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found both genes expressed in cells previously implicated in sensory functions during male courtship. Furthermore, when coexpressed, LLZ coprecipitated with CHEB42A, suggesting that the two proteins form a complex. Although LLZ expressed either alone or with CHEB42A did not generate ion channel currents, CHEB42A increased current amplitude of another DEG/ENaC protein whose ligand (protons) is known, acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a). We also found that CHEB42A was cleaved to generate a secreted protein, suggesting that CHEB42A may play an important role in the extracellular space. These data suggest that CHEB42A is a modulatory subunit for sensory-related Deg/ENaC signaling. These results are consistent with operon-like transcription of CheB42a and llz and explain the similar contributions of these genes to courtship behavior.

Drosophila melanogaster - physiology

Immunoprecipitation

Cricetulus

Humans

Cercopithecus aethiops

Molecular Sequence Data

Male

Gene Expression Profiling

Sodium Channels - physiology

Drosophila Proteins - metabolism

Drosophila melanogaster - genetics

Drosophila melanogaster - metabolism

Drosophila Proteins - physiology

Sodium Channels - metabolism

Female

CHO Cells

Amino Acid Sequence

Cell Line

Cricetinae

Xenopus laevis

Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Animals

Oocytes - physiology

Membrane Potentials

Protein Binding

Sodium Channels - genetics

Drosophila Proteins - genetics

COS Cells

Ion Channel Gating

Details

Title: Subtitle: The Drosophila gene CheB42a is a novel modifier of Deg/ENaC channel function
Creators: Yehuda Ben-Shahar - Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
Beika Lu
Daniel M Collier
Peter M Snyder
Mikael Schnizler
Michael J Welsh
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.5(2), pp.e9395-e9395
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009395
PMID: 20195381
PMCID: PMC2827562
NLM abbreviation: PLoS One
ISSN: 1932-6203
eISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science; United States
Grant note: Howard Hughes Medical Institute P30 DK054759 / NIDDK NIH HHS R03 DC010244 / NIDCD NIH HHS DK54759 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/24/2010
Academic Unit: Neurology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine; Cardiovascular Medicine; Neurosurgery; Medicine Administration; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984017737302771

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