l(3)malignant brain tumor and three novel genes are required for Drosophila germ-cell formation.
To identify genes involved in the process of germ-cell formation in Drosophila, a maternal-effect screen using the FLP/FRT-ovoD method was performed on chromosome 3R. In addition to expected mutations in the germ-cell determinant oskar and in other genes known to be involved in the process, several novel mutations caused defects in germ-cell formation. Mutations in any of three genes [l(3)malignant brain tumor, shackleton, and out of sync] affect the synchronous mitotic divisions and nuclear migration of the early embryo. The defects in nuclear migration or mitotic synchrony result in a reduction in germ-cell formation. Mutations in another gene identified in this screen, bebra, do not cause mitotic defects, but appear to act upstream of the localization of oskar. Analysis of our mutants demonstrates that two unique and independent processes must occur to form germ cells-germ-plasm formation and nuclear division/migration.
Yohn
Christopher B
CB
Developmental Genetics Program, Skirball Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Pusateri
Leslie
L
Barbosa
Vitor
V
Lehmann
Ruth
R
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D017344:Genes, Insect / Q000502:physiology*; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D021381:Protein Transport; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D013696:Temperature; D019076:Transgenes; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C120887:L3MBTL1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins