unc-79 encodes a novel, conserved protein; unc-79 functions in a pathway with unc-77 and nca-2, which encode alpha-1 subunits of voltage-insensitive cation leak channels, to regulate locomotion and the response to specific volatile anesthetics; unc-79 exerts its effects on these processes, at least in part, by regulating the levels of UNC-77 and NCA-2 proteins; an unc-79::gfp reporter is expressed in the nervous system in ventral nerve cord neurons in L2 and L3 larvae and in one or two head neurons in adults; UNC-79 exhibits a punctate staining pattern in ventral nerve cord and nerve ring processes, and this staining is dependent upon UNC-80, UNC-77, and NCA-2.
Involved in several processes, including response to anesthetic; response to ethanol; and response to toluene. Located in axon. Expressed in head neurons; nerve ring; nervous system; tail neurons; and ventral cord neurons. Used to study alcohol use disorder. Is an ortholog of human UNC79 (unc-79 homolog, NALCN channel complex subunit).