title: Transcriptome Analysis ofDrosophila melanogasterThird Instar Larval Ring Glands Points to Novel Functions and Uncovers a Cytochrome p450 Required for Development.
abstract: InDrosophila melanogasterlarvae, the ring gland (RG) is a control center that orchestrates major developmental transitions. It is a composite organ, consisting of the prothoracic gland, the corpus allatum, and the corpora cardiaca, each of which synthesizes and secretes a different hormone. Until now, the RG's broader developmental roles beyond endocrine secretion have not been explored. RNA sequencing and analysis of a new transcriptome resource fromD. melanogasterwandering third instar larval RGs has provided a fascinating insight into the diversity of developmental signaling in this organ. We have found strong enrichment of expression of two gene pathways not previously associated with the RG: immune response and fatty acid metabolism. We have also uncovered strong expression for many uncharacterized genes. Additionally, RNA interference against RG-enriched cytochrome p450sCyp6u1andCyp6g2produced a lethal ecdysone deficiency and a juvenile hormone deficiency, respectively, flagging a critical role for these genes in hormone synthesis. This transcriptome provides a valuable new resource for investigation of roles played by the RG in governing insect development.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Christesen
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Ying Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Somers
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sztal
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Batterham
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia trentp@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Trent
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D034622:RNA Interference; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D004440:Ecdysone; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; C000624894:Cyp6u1 protein, Drosophila; C000603270:cytochrome P-450 6G2, Drosophila
keywords: Halloween genes; cytochrome p450; ecdysteroidogenesis; immune response; molting