The mei-P26 gene encodes a RING finger B-box coiled-coil-NHL protein that regulates seizure susceptibility in Drosophilia

Genetics. 2005 Aug;170(4):1677-89. doi: 10.1534/genetics.105.043174. Epub 2005 Jun 3.

Abstract

Seizure-suppressor mutations provide unique insight into the genes and mechanisms involved in regulating nervous system excitability. Drosophila bang-sensitive (BS) mutants present a useful tool for identifying seizure suppressors since they are a well-characterized epilepsy model. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of a new Drosophila seizure-suppressor mutant that results from disruption of the meiotic gene mei-P26, which belongs to the RBCC-NHL family of proteins. The mei-P26 mutation reduces seizures in easily shocked (eas) and slamdance (sda) epileptic flies following mechanical stimulation and electroconvulsive shock. In addition, mutant mei-P26 flies exhibit seizure thresholds at least threefold greater than those of wild type. The mei-P26 phenotypes appear to result from missense mutation of a critical residue in the NHL protein-protein interaction domain of the protein. These results reveal a surprising role for mei-P26 outside of the germline as a regulator of seizure susceptibility, possibly by affecting synaptic development as a ubiquitin ligase.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila / physiology
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology*
  • Electroshock
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Insect*
  • Meiosis
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Seizures / genetics*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Suppression, Genetic

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins