Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Paradigms for Pharmacological Characterization of C. elegans Synaptic Transmission Mutants
Published on: August 18, 2008
Characterization of a novel tyramine-gated chloride channel from Haemonchus contortus
Vijayaraghava T S Rao1, Michael V Accardi, Salma Z Siddiqui
1University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Science, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4 Canada.
Abstract:
Tyramine (TA), a trace amine, is becoming accepted as a main stream neurotransmitter in invertebrates. Recent evidence indicates that part of the function of TA in nematodes involves a novel receptor (Cel-LGC-55) from the ligand-gated chloride channel class of ionotropic receptors. However, the role of TA or its receptors in the biology of nematode parasites is limited. Haemonchus contortus is a deadly parasitic worm which causes significant economic burden in the production of small ruminants in many parts of the world. In this study, we have cloned and characterized a novel LGCC from H. contortus which we have named Hco-LGC-55. This receptor subunit is a clear orthologue of Cel-LGC-55 and is able to form a homomeric chloride channel that is gated by tyramine, dopamine and octopamine. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (sqRT-PCR) shows that this subunit is expressed in all life-cycle stages of the worm, but appears to have reduced mRNA expression in the adult male.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Non-gated Ion Channels
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...

