A role for nautilus in the differentiation of muscle precursors.
In the Drosophila embryo, nautilus is expressed in a subset of muscle precursors and differentiated fibers and is capable of inducing muscle-specific transcription, as well as myogenic transformation. In this study, we examine the consequences of nautilus loss-of-function on the development of the somatic musculature. Genetic and molecular characterization of two overlapping deficiencies, Df(3R)nau-9 and Df(3R)nau-11a4, revealed that both of these deficiencies remove the nautilus gene without affecting a common lethal complementation group. Individuals transheterozygous for these deficiencies survive to adulthood, indicating that nautilus is not an essential gene. These embryos are, however, missing a subset of muscle fibers, providing evidence that (1) some muscle loss can be tolerated throughout larval development and (2) nautilus does play a role in muscle development. Examination of muscle precursors in these embryos revealed that nautilus is not required for the formation of muscle precursors, but rather plays a role in their differentiation into mature muscle fibers. Thus, we suggest that nautilus functions in a subset of muscle precursors to implement their specific differentiation programs.
Keller
C A
CA
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Grill
M A
MA
Abmayr
S M
SM
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017344:Genes, Insect; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D006579:Heterozygote; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D024510:Muscle Development; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014714:Vertebrates
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors; C066817:nau protein, Drosophila