Identification of mushroom body miniature, a zinc-finger protein implicated in brain development of Drosophila.
The mushroom bodies are bilaterally arranged structures in the protocerebrum of Drosophila and most other insect species. Mutants with altered mushroom body structure have been instrumental not only in establishing their role in distinct behavioral functions but also in identifying the molecular pathways that control mushroom body development. The mushroom body miniature(1) (mbm(1)) mutation results in grossly reduced mushroom bodies and odor learning deficits in females. With a survey of genomic rescue constructs, we have pinpointed mbm(1) to a single transcription unit and identified a single nucleotide exchange in the 5' untranslated region of the corresponding transcript resulting in a reduced expression of the protein. The most obvious feature of the Mbm protein is a pair of C(2)HC zinc fingers, implicating a function of the protein in binding nucleic acids. Immunohistochemical analysis shows that expression of the Mbm protein is not restricted to the mushroom bodies. BrdUrd labeling experiments indicate a function of Mbm in neuronal precursor cell proliferation.
Raabe
Thomas
T
Institut für Medizinische Strahlenkunde und Zellforschung, University of Würzburg, Versbacherstrasse 5, D-97078 Würzburg, Germany.
Clemens-Richter
Susanne
S
Twardzik
Thomas
T
Ebert
Anselm
A
Gramlich
Gertrud
G
Heisenberg
Martin
M
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004330:Drosophila / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D024521:Mushroom Bodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000502:physiology*
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins