Inferred by orthology to human genes with DO annotation (HGNC:20774)
Disease_relevance
C. elegans mec-4 and deg-1 genes encode proteins, called degenerins, that are similar to the subunits of the human amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium-channels; death-inducing substitutions in the gain-of-function mutant deg-1, e1611 and u231, may hyperactivate the channels, resulting in increased or altered ion flow and/osmotic imbalance and consequent neuron death; similarities between the degenerin-induced deaths and the early pathology of of neurons in human dominant myotonias, excitotoxicity, and epilepsy suggest similar mechanisms; studies with the elegans mutations show that the abnormalities infolding of the plasma membrane whorls, cytoplasmic vacuoles, cell swelling, chromatin aggregates and nuclear invaginations; mitochondria and golgi are not dramatically affected until the final stages of cell death when organelles, and sometimes the cells lyse; pathology of degeneration is dependent on abnormal degenerin gene dosage.