SGER: Spontaneous Mutation in the Moth, Heliothis virescens

SGER：蛾、烟夜蛾的自发突变

• 批准号: 0123942
• 负责人: Thomas Brown
• 金额: $ 8.13万
• 依托单位: Michigan State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-05-15 至 2004-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0123942&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SGER; Spontaneous; Mutation; Moth; Heliothis

Genetic mutation can be caused by external mutagenic agents such as chemical mutagens or radiation, or it can occur without the impact of external agents. Natural mutagenesis due to transposable elements is understood primarily from research in fruit flies; it results when a gene is affected by the movement of another gene causing a change in phenotype. Activity of a Mariner element was observable in Drosophila mauritiana as a high frequency of mosaicism or speckling in the eye controlled by the Mos1 gene (Hartl, 2001). Although it appears that many transposable elements have become silenced leaving an inactive sequence in the host genome, the mechanism of regulation is not understood. There are few models of natural mutagenesis apart from those in fruit flies. The objective of this project is to develop a new genetic model for natural mutagenesis, focusing on understanding the mechanism by which multiple spontaneous mutations of pigmentation (black eye, golden eye, et al.) and patterning (striped eye) arose in a lineage of a moth, Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). While there are many possible mechanisms for this phenomenon, this project will focus on one working hypothesis that each of the various phenotypes is controlled by mutation in a corresponding gene. Each putative gene will be purified while gathering physiological data on mechanisms of altered pigmentation so that the mutations and any novel genetic mechanism involved can be identified subsequently. This project bears the risks of disproving the stated hypothesis; however, in that case this approach will provide information applicable to an alternate hypothesis. The significance of discovering a new type of natural mutagenesis if present will be in advancing the basic science of eukaryotic genetics leading to scientific applications to benefit society. Examples of present and anticipated applications of understanding mutation include defense against genetic weapons and genetic control of mosquitoes and other pests.

基因突变可以由化学诱变剂或辐射等外部诱变剂引起，也可以在没有外部诱变剂影响的情况下发生。转座因子引起的自然突变主要是从果蝇的研究中了解的；当一个基因受到另一个基因的移动影响，导致表型改变时，它就会产生。在果蝇中可以观察到Mariner元件的活动，因为在由Mos1基因控制的眼睛中，嵌合体或斑点的频率很高(Hartl，2001)。尽管许多转座元件似乎已经沉默，在宿主基因组中留下了一个不活跃的序列，但其调控机制尚不清楚。除了果蝇外，几乎没有自然突变的模型。这个项目的目标是开发一种新的自然突变的遗传模型，专注于了解色素沉着(黑眼圈、金眼圈等)的多种自发突变的机制。花纹(条纹眼睛)出现在一种蛾的谱系中，这是一种绿色日蛾(鳞翅目：夜蛾科)。虽然这种现象有许多可能的机制，但这个项目将专注于一个可行的假设，即各种表型中的每一种都由相应基因的突变控制。在收集有关色素改变机制的生理数据的同时，每个假定的基因都将被提纯，以便随后能够识别突变和任何新的涉及的遗传机制。这个项目承担着推翻所述假设的风险；然而，在这种情况下，这种方法将提供适用于另一种假设的信息。如果发现一种新型的自然突变，其意义将是促进真核遗传学的基础科学，从而使科学应用造福社会。目前和预期的理解突变应用的例子包括防御遗传武器和对蚊子和其他害虫的基因控制。