TheCaenorhabditis elegansGeneunc-25Encodes Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase and Is Required for Synaptic Transmission But Not Synaptic Development

摘要: The neurotransmitter GABA has been proposed to play a role during nervous system development. We show that the Caenorhabditis elegans gene unc-25 encodes glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), biosynthetic enzyme. is expressed specifically in GABAergic neurons. Null mutations eliminate UNC-25 protein or alter amino acids conserved all known GADs, result complete lack of GABA, and cause defects GABA-mediated behaviors. In mutants neurons have normal axonal trajectories synaptic connectivity, size shape vesicles are normal. number at neuromuscular junctions slightly increased. Cholinergic ventral nerve cord neurons, which innervate same muscles as morphology, vesicles. conclude GAD activity not necessary for development maintenance C. elegans.