Developmental Biology 433
Take Home Assignment
Due 2/23/05
35 points
Choose a gene involved in Drosophila embryo patterning, other than those we
will discuss in lecture (bicoid, caudal, hunchback, Kruppel, even-skipped, ftz,
wingless, hedgehog, antennapedia, ultrabithorax, gurken, torpedo, spatzle, toll,
cactus, dorsal). The most convenient source of information is The Interactive Fly
(http://www.sdbonline.org/fly/aimain/1aahome.htm ). Look under Biochemical
pathways: Maternal genes or Zygotically transcribed genes. For the gene you
choose, answer the questions below. If you choose a gene required for multiple
developmental processes, confine your answers to functions in embryonic
patterning of the A-P or D-V axes. You may use drawings or diagrams where
helpful.
1. What class of gene is it (maternal effect, gap, etc.).
2. What mutant phenotype(s) are associated with the gene. What is(are) the
nature of the mutations responsible for this phenotype? (I.e. loss-of-function,
ectopic expression, etc.)
3. What is the developmental function of the gene? Relate this to the mutant
phenotypes and the nature of the mutations discussed above.
4. What is the biochemical function of the protein encoded by the gene?
5. What is the expression pattern of the gene during early embryo pattern
formation?
6. Describe one key aspect of the regulation of the gene or protein you selected.
What other gene(s) or gene product(s) are required and how do the function?
What level is this regulation at (transcriptional, translational, etc.)? Describe.
7. Describe at the molecular level what your gene or protein regulates, and how.
What is the developmental consequence of this regulation? For example, “Gene
X encodes a protein kinase that phosphorylates a transcription factor Y. Upon
phosphorylation, Y is activated and promotes the transcription of genes required
for the production of structure Z”.