Mutations in a C-elegans G(q)alpha gene disrupt movement, egg laying, and viability

We find that C. elegans egl-30 encodes a heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit more than 80% identical to mammalian G(q) alpha family proteins, and which can function as a G(q) alpha subunit in COS-7 cells. We have identified new egl-30 alleles in a selection for genes involved in the C. elegans acetylcholine response. Two egl-30 alleles specify premature termination of G(q) alpha and are essentially lethal in homozygotes. Animals homozygous for six other egl-30 alleles are viable and fertile, but exhibit delayed egg laying and leave flattened tracks. Overexpression of the wild-type egl-30 gene produces the opposite behavior. Analysis of these mutants suggest that their phenotypes reflect defects in the muscle or neuromuscular junction.