Structure and function of the homeotic gene complex (HOM-C) in the beetle, Tribolium castaneum.
The powerful combination of genetic, developmental and molecular approaches possible with the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has led to a profound understanding of the genetic control of early developmental events.  However, Drosophila is a highly specialized long germ insect, and the mechanisms controlling its early development may not be typical of insects or Arthropods in general.  The beetle, Tribolium castaneum, offers a similar opportunity to integrate high resolution genetic analysis with the developmental/molecular approaches currently used in other organisms.  Early results document significant differences between insect orders in the functions of genes responsible for establishing developmental commitments.
Beeman
R W
RW
US Grain Marketing Research Laboratory, USDA, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
Stuart
J J
JJ
Brown
S J
SJ
Denell
R E
RE
D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000502:physiology*; D017344:Genes, Insect / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D014231:Tribolium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology