Homeotic genes autonomously specify one aspect of pattern in the Drosophila mesoderm
Article Abstract:
The role of homeotic genes in pattern formation in the insect mesoderm was examined. Other studies have resulated in the generalization that in insects, the ectoderm is mainly responsible for pattern formation in the mesoderm. The study protocol involved expressing homeotic genes ectopically in Drosophila mesoderm without altering their expression in the overlying ectoderm. The results showed that precursor cells for thorax muscles were converted into those for abdominal muscles when the homeotic gene abdominal-A was expressed in the mesoderm. This indicates that homeotic genes are also involved in inducing pattern formation in the mesoderm, independently of the ectoderm.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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Homeotic transformation in Drosophila
Article Abstract:
There are a number of regulatory changes in developmental genes that prompt a homeotic transformation in the ectopic wing tissue of prothoracic or metathoracic segments in Drosphila melanogaster. These changes lead to the development of wings instead of halteres. The Antennapedia (Antp) gene is not required to form thoracic wing primordia or the adult wings. This suggests that ancestrally, wings probably occurred in all segments without homeotic gene involvement. Altered regulation of developmental genes was significant in the development of body plans.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Segmentation in silico
Article Abstract:
Issues are presented concerning the use of mathematical data to compute the properties of the relatively simple gene networks of Drosophila flies. The difficulty of understanding gene networks is discussed.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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