Abstract
Ion channels play an important role in the swimming behavior of Paramecium tetraurelia. Electrophysiological experiments indicate that a calcium-dependent sodium channel exists in Paramecium, but a gene has not been identified for this channel. It is hypothesized that this channel evolved from a voltage-dependent sodium channel after a whole genome duplication event. In this paper, 13 candidate genes were identified from the Paramecium genome based on their similarity to a reference human voltage-dependent sodium channel. Bioinformatics analysis of the selectivity filter of these putative ion channel genes suggested that at least 8 of the candidate genes were sodium channels and 4 were likely calcium channels. Functional analysis of 2 of the candidate genes thought to be sodium channel genes, via RNAi knockdowns and behavioral testing, led to the identification of a calcium channel.
Advisor
Fraga, Dean
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Recommended Citation
Kuzmishin, Gwendolyn, "Attempted Identification of the Calcium-Dependent Sodium Channel Gene in Paramecium tetraurelia using RNAi" (2016). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 7091.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/7091
Disciplines
Biochemistry | Bioinformatics | Molecular Biology
Keywords
Ion Channel, RNAi, Calcium-Dependent Sodium Channel, Paramecium tetraurelia
Publication Date
2016
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis Exemplar
© Copyright 2016 Gwendolyn Kuzmishin