title: Embryonic expression of Drosophila ceramide synthase schlank in developing gut, CNS and PNS.
abstract: Schlank is a member of the highly conserved ceramide synthase family and controls growth and body fat in Drosophila. Ceramide synthases are key enzymes in the sphingolipid de novo synthesis pathway. Ceramide synthase proteins and the (dihydro)ceramide produced are involved in a variety of biological processes among them apoptosis and neurodegeneration. The full extent of their involvement in these processes will require a precise analysis of the distribution and expression pattern of ceramide synthases. Paralogs of the ceramide synthase family have been found in all eukaryotes studied, however the mRNA and protein expression patterns have not yet been analysed systematically. In this study, we use antibodies that specifically recognize Schlank, a schlank mRNA probe and an endogenous schlank promoter driven LacZ reporter line to reveal the expression pattern of Schlank throughout embryogenesis. We found that Schlank is expressed in all embryonic epithelia during embryogenesis including the developing epidermis and the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, Schlank is upregulated in the developing central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Co-staining experiments with neuronal and glial markers revealed specific expression of Schlank in glial and neuronal cells of the CNS and PNS.
authors: LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development & Genetics, Laboratory for Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Str. 31, D-53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Voelzmann
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000502:physiology; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000201:enzymology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051049:Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C108138:dihydroceramide desaturase; C555760:Schlank protein, Drosophila; D051049:Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase