Abstract
unc-104 encodes a novel kinesin paralog that may act as a microtubule-based motor In the nervous system. Neuronal cell lineages and axonogenesis are normal in unc-104 null mutants, but axons have few synaptic vesicles and make only a few small synapses. By contrast, neuron cell bodies have surfeits of similar vesicles tethered together within the cytoplasm. Based on behavioral and cellular phenotypes, we suggest that UNC-104 is a neuron-specific motor used for anterograde translocation of synaptic vesicles along axonal microtubuies. Other membrane-bounded organelles are transported normally.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 837-847 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Cell |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 31 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)