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The role of the otu Gene in Drosophila oogenesis
Author(s) -
King Robert C.,
Storto Patrick D.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950080106
Subject(s) - biology , oogenesis , gene , oocyte , genetics , mutant , gene product , microbiology and biotechnology , phenotype , gene expression , embryo
The ovarian tumor (otu) gene behaves as if it encodes a product (OGP) which is required during several early steps in the transformation of oogonia into functional oocytes. The ovarian phenotypes produced by various EMS‐induced mutations can be explained as graded responses by individual mutant germ cells to the different levels of functionally active OGP they themselves synthesize. In addition, genetic evidence suggests that otu also encodes a second product that is utilized late in oogenesis. Molecular studies of the otu gene demonstrate that it does transcribe at least two ovaryspecific RNAs. The possible function of the otu product in the cellular divisions that give rise to the oocyte and its sister nurse cells is discussed.