TYRA-3 is a tyramine-activated G-protein coupled receptor in C. elegans. TYRA-3 is expressed in dopaminergic ADE and CEP neurons, suggesting it may play a role in modulating dopaminergic signaling. Upon exogenous tyramine exposure, deletion mutants of tyra-3 are more susceptible to paralysis than wild type animals. dat-1 deletion mutants, which contain abnormally high concentrations of synaptic dopamine, were also sensitive to paralysis with tyramine exposure. cat-2 deletion mutants, which contain no dopamine, were partially resistant to tyramine exposure. Double mutants of cat-2;tyra-3 and dat-1;tyra-3 showed moderate sensitivity. These results suggest that TYRA-3 inhibits dopamine release, but additional experiments are necessary to explain the phenotypes of the double mutants.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Chouinard, Candace Rachel

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042710-120539

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2010

Sponsor

• UMass Medical School

Date created

• 2010-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright