Innexin-19 (inx-19) Recombinant Protein

Function: Structural component of the gap junctions that specifically coordinates left-right asymmetry in the developing nervous system. Acts by forming gap junction network linking embryonic neurons and providing electrical coupling between cells, leading to promote or inhibit AWC signaling. Required for the left and right AWC olfactory neurons to establish asymmetric patterns of gene expression during embryogenesis. Acts autonomously. Ref.3

Subcellular location: Cell membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein. Cell junction › gap junction. Note: Specifically present at the transient gap junctions formed between the cell bodies of embryonic neurons. Excluded from axons and dendrites. Ref.3

Tissue specificity: Specifically expressed in sensory neurons and interneurons in the head and tail. Expressed in neurons AWC, ASH, AFD, ASI, ADL, ASK, BAG, AWB, and ADF (head sensory neurons); ADA, AIZ, RIC, AIY, and AIM (head interneurons); PHA and PHB (tail sensory neurons); and PVC and PVQ (tail interneurons). Ref.3

Developmental stage: Expression begins about halfway through embryogenesis. Expressed at higher level in late embryos and in L1 larvae, and fades thereafter. In adults, a weak expression is maintained in several neurons, including ASH but not AWC. Ref.3

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the pannexin family.