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Characterization of the Role Of A Novel Gene In Drosophila Oogenesis
Author(s) -
Puplampu-Dove Yvonne Ayordeley,
Manning Lathiena,
Starz-Gaiano Michelle
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.782.1
Subject(s) - biology , drosophila melanogaster , gene , rna interference , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , ecdysone , schneider 2 cells , oocyte , function (biology) , rna , embryo
There are various genes that regulate cellular migration. Mutations in these genes have the ability to alter proper movement, which provides insight into the normal function of these genes. We are taking advantage of the well‐characterized genetics of Drosophila melanogaster to identify new genes regulating cell movement. In Drosophila, Ecdysone steroid hormones influence development and serve as genetic regulators that control the expression of specific genes. In other organisms, steroid hormones have been shown to influence cancers such as ovarian and breast. In this study, our interest is the role of an uncharacterized but well‐conserved EF‐hand‐containing protein in the migration of the border cell cluster to the oocyte. We postulate that the encoded protein may regulate actin dynamics. Using immunofluorescence, live‐imaging and gene expression analysis, we have examined the function for this novel gene. RNA interference (RNAi) knock down of the gene specifically in the border cells disrupted their proper migration, suggesting its importance in ovarian cell migration in Drosophila and may play similar roles in cells of other organisms.