Genetic Basis of Drosophila Head Development

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The homeotic genes of Drosophila act as switches selecting the developmental pathway a segment will follow. These genes encode transcription factors which are thought to specify segment identity by regulating other, target genes. The target genes would establish individual segmental characteristics. Although much is known about the homeotic genes, little is known about the genes they control or how the homeotic gene products select among their many target genes. During the past two years, a genetic search was undertaken using insertional mutagenesis to tag genes required for head development. The goal was to identify genes regulating or regulated by those homeotic gene products required to establish proper larval head segment identity. Three genes, having expression or phenotypic qualities suggesting they are targets of the protein encoded by the homeotic gene, Deformed, were chosen for further study. A genetic and molecular characterization of these three genes is in progress to determine their role during development of the larval head. In addition, experiments are underway to test whether regulation of Deformed is direct. Future experiments will use these genes as models to study target gene selection by the homeotic proteins.