Computational-aided identification of genes regulated by the Drosophila vnd.
Neurogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster is initiated by an ordered appearance of neuroblasts arranged in three columns (medial, intermediate, and lateral) in the neuroectoderm. In each column, specific homeodomain-containing genes are expressed. The ventral nervous system defective (vnd) regulates the fate of the cells in the medial domain of the neuroectoderm. In the present study, we identified Vnd-regulated genes through computational screening. Through further screening, we selected eight genes that were downregulated in the vnd loss-of function mutation. These included zfh1, uzip, CG7687, SytIV, stau, ase, scrt, and dpn genes. Ectopic expression of vnd, using the GAL4/UAS system, caused abnormal expression of all eight genes. Further, eight genes were coexpressed with that of vnd. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments showed an enhanced expression of uzip, CG7687, SytIV, and ase. Although the other four genes did not show an enhanced expression through RT-PCR, cytochemical and genetic evidence showed that these genes were regulated by Vnd. Taken together, the results obtained from this study indicate that expression of at least four genes, uzip, CG7687, SytIV, and ase, are regulated by Vnd.
Kang
Doo Na
DN
Department of Biology Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Jung
Keuk Il
KI
Kim
Sang Hee
SH
Jeon
Sang-Hak
SH
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D039301:Computers, Molecular; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050857:Synaptotagmins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C503213:Loqs protein, Drosophila; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C407353:ase protein, Drosophila; C558015:uzip protein, Drosophila; C094797:vnd protein, Drosophila; D050857:Synaptotagmins