The Caenorhabditis elegans gene unc-76 and its human homologs define a new gene family involved in axonal outgrowth and fasciculation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997 Apr 1;94(7):3414-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.94.7.3414.

Abstract

The gene unc-76 (unc, uncoordinated) is necessary for normal axonal bundling and elongation within axon bundles in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The UNC-76 protein and two human homologs identified as expressed sequence tags are not similar to previously characterized proteins and thus represent a new protein family. At least one of these human homologs can function in C. elegans, suggesting that it, like UNC-76, acts in axonal outgrowth. We propose that the UNC-76 protein, which is found in cell bodies and processes of all neurons throughout development, either has a structural role in the formation and maintenance of axonal bundles or transduces signals to the intracellular machinery that regulates axonal extension and adhesion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Axons*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family
  • Neuropeptides / genetics*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Neuropeptides
  • UNC-76 protein, C elegans

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U60058
  • GENBANK/U60059
  • GENBANK/U60060
  • GENBANK/U60061
  • GENBANK/U60062