Parker S, Peterkin HS, Baylis HA

Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.

Mutations in human caveolin-3 are known to underlie a range of myopathies. The cav-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans is a homologue of human caveolin-3 and is expressed in both neurons and body wall muscles. Within the body wall muscle CAV-1 localises adjacent to neurons, most likely at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Using fluorescently tagged CAV-1 and pre- and post-synaptic markers we demonstrate that CAV-1 co-localises with UNC-63, a post-synaptic marker, but not with several pre-synaptic markers. To establish a model for human muscular dystrophies caused by dominant-negative mutations in caveolin-3 we created transgenic animals carrying versions of cav-1 with homologous mutations. These animals had increased sensitivity to levamisole, suggesting a role for cav-1 at the NMJ. Animals carrying a deletion in cav-1 show a similar sensitivity. Sensitivity to levamisole and locomotion were also perturbed in animals carrying a dominant-negative cav-1 and a mutation in dynamin, which is a protein known to interact with caveolins. Thus, indicating an interaction between CAV-1 and dynamin at the NMJ and/or in neurons.

Mesh Terms:
Animals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Antinematodal Agents, Caenorhabditis elegans, Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins, Caveolin 1, Disease Models, Animal, Dynamin I, Humans, Levamisole, Movement, Muscular Dystrophies, Mutation, Neuromuscular Junction, Polymerase Chain Reaction

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