The unc-29 region on the chromosome I of Caenorhabditis elegans has been mutagenized in order to obtain lethal mutations. In this screen, the uncoordinated phenotype of unc-29 (e193) mutant was used to identify any lethal mutations closely linked to the unc-29 gene, which encodes a subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. We have isolated six independent mutations (jh1 to jh6) out of approximately 5,200 ethyl methanesulfonate(EMS) treated haploids. Four of the six mutations demonstrated embryonic lethal phenotypes, while the other two showed embryonic and larval lethal phenotypes. Terminal phenotypes observed in two mutations (jh1 and jh2) indicated developmental defects specific to posterior part of embryos which appeared similar to the phenotypes observed in nob (no back end) mutants. Another mutation (jh4) resulted in an interesting phenotype of body-wall muscle degeneration at larval stage. These mutations were mapped by using three-factor crosses and deficiency mutants in this region. Here we report genetic analysis and characterization of these lethal mutations.