Transcripts from the src-1(cj293) mutant can encode a SRC-1 molecule lacking the SH2 domain in Caenorhabditis elegans

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• The src-1 (cj293) mutation in C. elegans is hypothesized to be an activated allele.
• This mutation may result in a SRC-1 protein lacking the SH2 domain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular consequences of the src-1 (cj293) mutation.
• To determine if src-1 (cj293) encodes a SRC-1 protein lacking the SH2 domain and assess its activity.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on src-1 (cj293) mutants.
• Analysis focused on splicing patterns of the src-1 gene.

Main Results:

• The exon 3 to exon 6 splice junction was robustly detected in src-1 (cj293) mutants.
• This specific splice event does not occur in wild-type (src-1 (+)) worms.
• The src-1 (cj293) mutation produces a transcript encoding a SRC-1 protein lacking the SH2 domain.

Conclusions:

• The src-1 (cj293) mutation leads to the production of a truncated SRC-1 protein lacking the SH2 domain.
• This truncated protein appears to be overactive in the growth cones of VD neurons during outgrowth.
• The src-1 (cj293) mutation likely represents a constitutively active allele of src-1.