Developmental expression of choline acetyltransferase mRNA in Drosophila.
We have measured the steady state levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, EC 2.3.1.6) mRNA during different developmental stages of Drosophila melanogaster using a ChAT specific cRNA probe. ChAT mRNA was first detected approximately 6-7 h after oviposition, increased until the 1st-2nd larval instar, decreased into early pupal stages and increased again during late pupation, reaching a maximum in adults. Northern analysis showed a major RNA band with a Mr of 4.7 kilobases and Western analysis also showed a single major 75 kD protein band at all developmental stages. Our results support the hypothesis that a major point of regulation of ChAT expression may be at the transcriptional level.
Carbini
L A
LA
Division of Neuroscience, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010.
Muñoz Maines
V J
VJ
Salvaterra
P M
PM
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015342:DNA Probes; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase