Characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster retinin gene encoding a cornea-specific protein.
Two-dimensional analysis of head extracts from Drosophila melanogaster identified the four eye-specific protein spots corresponding to the retinin protein. The retinin protein spots were specifically stained with phosphoprotein-specific dye, suggesting that the retinin protein undergoes post-translational modification by phosphorylation. Northern blot analysis showed that the retinin gene begins to be expressed during the late stage of puparium formation during development. Analysis of the N-terminal sequence and expression of the retinin gene in S2 suggest that retinin is a secretory protein. Transgenic flies with knockdown expression of the retinin gene by RNA interference (RNAi) were established. However, no significant phenotypic changes in eye structure or phototransduction were observed in the transgenic flies. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical studies of D. melanogaster eyes suggest that retinin is a cornea-specific protein.
Kim
E
E
Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 446-701, Korea.
Choi
Y
Y
Lee
S
S
Seo
Y
Y
Yoon
J
J
Baek
K
K
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017344:Genes, Insect; D016678:Genome; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D021381:Protein Transport; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C534038:retinin protein, Drosophila