Description |
nas-4 encodes a predicted extracellular matrix metalloprotease of the M12A (astacin) family that contains an N-terminal signal sequence and a catalytic domain, but no recognizable regulatory domains in the C-terminus; as loss of nas-4 activity via RNAi results in no obvious abnormalities, the precise role of NAS-4 in C. elegans development and/or behavior is not yet known; however, an NAS-4 translational reporter is expressed in the pharynx and intestine in larvae and adults, suggesting a role for NAS-4 in digestion; NAS-4 is specifically detected within cells of the pharyngeal procorpus, metacorpus, isthmus, and terminal bulb, with extracellular expression detected in the lumen of the terminal bulb and in the gut. |