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Molecular characterization and functional expression of the DSC1 channel.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zhang, T; Liu, Z; Song, W; Du, Y; Dong, K
Published in: Insect biochemistry and molecular biology
July 2011

Drosophila Sodium Channel 1 (DSC1) was predicted to encode a sodium channel based on a high sequence similarity with vertebrate and invertebrate sodium channel genes. However, BSC1, a DSC1 ortholog in Blattella germanica, was recently shown to encode a cation channel with ion selectivity toward Ca(2+). In this study, we isolated a total of 20 full-length cDNA clones that cover the entire coding region of the DSC1 gene from adults of Drosophila melanogaster by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Sequence analysis of the 20 clones revealed nine optional exons, four of which contain in-frame stop codons; and 13 potential A-to-I RNA editing sites. The 20 clones can be grouped into eight splice types and represent 20 different transcripts because of unique RNA editing. Three variants generated DSC1 currents when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Like the BSC1 channel, all three functional DSC1 channels are permeable to Ca(2+) and Ba(2+), and also to Na(+) in the absence of external Ca(2+). Furthermore, the DSC1 channel is insensitive to tetrodotoxin, a potent and specific sodium channel blocker. Our study shows that DSC1 encodes a voltage-gated cation channel similar to the BSC1 channel in B. germanica. Extensive alternative splicing and RNA editing of the DSC1 transcripts suggest the molecular and functional diversity of the DSC1 channel.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Insect biochemistry and molecular biology

DOI

EISSN

1879-0240

ISSN

0965-1748

Publication Date

July 2011

Volume

41

Issue

7

Start / End Page

451 / 458

Related Subject Headings

  • Xenopus laevis
  • Transfection
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Sodium Channels
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Sodium
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • RNA Editing
  • Protein Isoforms
 

Citation

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Zhang, T., Liu, Z., Song, W., Du, Y., & Dong, K. (2011). Molecular characterization and functional expression of the DSC1 channel. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(7), 451–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.04.010
Zhang, Tianxiang, Zhiqi Liu, Weizhong Song, Yuzhe Du, and Ke Dong. “Molecular characterization and functional expression of the DSC1 channel.Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 41, no. 7 (July 2011): 451–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.04.010.
Zhang T, Liu Z, Song W, Du Y, Dong K. Molecular characterization and functional expression of the DSC1 channel. Insect biochemistry and molecular biology. 2011 Jul;41(7):451–8.
Zhang, Tianxiang, et al. “Molecular characterization and functional expression of the DSC1 channel.Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, vol. 41, no. 7, July 2011, pp. 451–58. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.04.010.
Zhang T, Liu Z, Song W, Du Y, Dong K. Molecular characterization and functional expression of the DSC1 channel. Insect biochemistry and molecular biology. 2011 Jul;41(7):451–458.
Journal cover image

Published In

Insect biochemistry and molecular biology

DOI

EISSN

1879-0240

ISSN

0965-1748

Publication Date

July 2011

Volume

41

Issue

7

Start / End Page

451 / 458

Related Subject Headings

  • Xenopus laevis
  • Transfection
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Sodium Channels
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Sodium
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • RNA Editing
  • Protein Isoforms