Regulation and Function of the cut Locus in Drosophila

切割位点是一个大的果蝇基因，控制多种组织的分化。该基因的突变使外部感觉器官转变为声带器官，并阻止特定翼缘刚毛和昆虫肾脏的分化。角质层扩张的发生也需要头部的表达，这是一种程序化的行为。基因转录部分上游的突变会干扰正常的调控。许多上游突变是反转录转座子gypsy的插入，它可能通过作为启动子和增强子元件之间的屏障来中断表达。在调控过程中，cut与其他基因及基因产物的相互作用导致细胞类型的分化。切割调节元件将通过其调节报告基因的能力来识别，并且将进行实验来测试特定基因，以发现在特定组织中切割表达需要哪些基因，以及哪些基因编码直接与切割调节元件结合的蛋白质。切割调控元件的定位也将清楚地证明吉普赛转座元件是否作为增强子和启动子之间的屏障。

The cut locus is a large Drosophila gene that controls differentiation of a variety of tissues. Mutations of the gene transform the external sensory organs into chordotonal organs and prevent differentiation of particular wing margin bristles as well as the insect kidneys. Expression is also required in the head for the occurrence of cuticle expansion, a programmed behavior. Mutations upstream of the transcribed portion of the gene interfere with proper regulation. Many of the upstream mutations are insertions of the retrotransposon gypsy, which may interrupt expression by acting as a barrier between the promoter and enhancer elements. The interactions of cut with other genes and gene products in the process of regulation that leads to differentiation of cell type will be examined. The cut regulatory elements will be identified by their ability to regulate a reporter gene, and experiments will be carried out to test specific genes to discover what genes are required for cut expression in particular tissues and which ones encode proteins that bind directly to the cut regulatory elements. The localization of the cut regulatory elements will also demonstrate clearly whether the gypsy transposable element acts as a barrier between enhancers and promoters.