Knockdown of the jph-1 gene produces altered nervous system structure and impaired muscle endurance phenotypes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract

Calcium signaling plays an integral role in neuronal communication and muscle movement. The junctophilin family of proteins are structural components of calcium channels of the endoplasmic reticulum and are implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. This study examined the function of jph-1 , a gene coding for a junctophilin protein in Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ), by downregulating jph-1 gene expression using RNAi through bacterial feeding. Downregulation of jph-1 altered the physical morphology and impaired thrashing locomotion in wild-type C. elegans . These results are consistent with those of others in demonstrating a role for jph-1 in muscle physiology.