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The Drosophila selenophosphate synthetase (selD) gene is required for development and cell proliferation
Author(s) -
Serras Florenci,
Morey Marta,
Alsina Berta,
Baguñà Jaume,
Corominas Montserrat
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.5520140119
Subject(s) - biology , imaginal disc , gene , mutation , cell growth , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , drosophila melanogaster , function (biology) , gene expression , selenoprotein , enzyme , biochemistry , glutathione , glutathione peroxidase
To study the function of selenoproteins in development and growth we have used a lethal mutation ( selD ptuf} of the Drosophila homologous selenophosphate synthetase ( selD ) gene. This enzyme is involved in the selenoprotein biosynthesis. The selD ptuf loss‐of‐function mutation causes aberrant cell proliferation and differentiation patterns in the brain and imaginal discs, as deduced from genetic mosaics, patterns of gene expression and analysis of cell cycle markers. In addition to that, selenium metabolism is also necessary for the ras/MAPKinase signal tansduction pathway. Therefore, the use of Drosophila imaginal discs and brain and in particular the selD ptuf mutation, provide an excellent model to investigate the role of selenoproteins in the regulation of cell proliferation, growth and differentiation.