Open AccessDetermination of Blastoderm Cells in Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
L Chan,
Walter J. Gehring
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.68.9.2217
Subject(s) - blastoderm , drosophila melanogaster , biology , embryo , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , genetics , embryogenesis , gene
A method for culturing blastoderm cells ofDrosophila in vivo has been developed that allows these cells to differentiate into larval or adult structures. By intermixture of genetically marked cells from bisected and whole embryos, it was shown that blastoderm cells are restricted in their potential for forming adult epidermal structures. Cells isolated from anterior-half embryos are determined for forming head and thoracic structures, whereas cells from posterior-half embryos are determined for forming thoracic and abdominal structures. The specificity of determination and the localization of determinative factors is discussed.