The miti-mere and pdm1 genes collaborate during specification of the RP2/sib lineage in Drosophila neurogenesis.
We have investigated (i) the role of pdm1, a Drosophila POU gene, during the elaboration of the GMC-1-->RP2/sib lineage and (ii) the functional relationship between pdm1 and the closely linked second POU gene, miti-mere, in this lineage. We show that deletion of pdm1 causes a partially penetrant GMC-1 defect, while deletion of both miti and pdm1 results in a fully penetrant defect. This GMC-1 defect in miti- and pdm1- embryos can be rescued by the pdm1 or miti transgene. Rescue is observed only when these genes are expressed at the time of GMC-1 formation. Overexpression of pdm1 or miti well after GMC-1 is formed results in the duplication of RP2 and/or sib cells. Our results indicate that both genes are required for the normal development of this lineage and that the two collaborate during the specification of GMC-1 identity.
Bhat
K M
KM
Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, New Jersey 08544, USA.
Poole
S J
SJ
Schedl
P
P
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000196:embryology; D017344:Genes, Insect / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D050809:POU Domain Factors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013234:Stem Cells; D014157:Transcription Factors
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D050809:POU Domain Factors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C104121:nub protein, Drosophila; C072851:pdm2 protein, Drosophila