Genetic interactions affecting touch sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.13.6577
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:36:44Z
• Authors: G Gu; G A Caldwell; M Chalfie
• Keywords: Genetic screen

At least 13 genes (mec-1, mec-2, mec-4-10, mec-12, mec-14, mec-15, and mec-18) are needed for the response to gentle touch by 6 receptor neurons in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Several, otherwise recessive alleles of some these act as dominant enhancer mutations temperature-sensitive mec-4, mec-5, mec-6, mec-15. Screens additional enhancers mec-4 mec-5 yielded previously known genes. In addition, mec-7 showed allele-specific, suppression mec-15 touch-insensitive (Mec) phenotype. The enhancement exhibited suggest that products several interact. These results consistent with a model, supported sequences genes, almost all function contribute mechanosensory apparatus.