Genes required for compartment boundary formation

在动物发育过程中，将组织细分为非混合的细胞组（称为隔室）是一种进化保守策略。然而，细胞在隔室边界上进行分选的分子机制尚不清楚。本提案的目的是确定这些分子机制。我们建议通过大规模的RNA干扰筛选来鉴定隔室边界细胞分离所需的分子。发育中的果蝇翅膀的前后隔室边界将被用作模型系统。这种方法利用了最近可获得的经过验证的转基因RNA干扰系，靶向该模式生物中90%以上的所有基因。为了进行筛选，我们开发并验证了一种新的检测方法。该试验结合了快速和忠实的分析细胞分离在前后室边界和选择敲除基因功能的RNA干扰。该项目不仅有望深入了解果蝇前后隔室边界形成的机制，还将揭示细胞在组织内进行物理组织的基本机制。

The subdivision of tissues into non-intermingling sets of cells termed compartments is an evolutionary conserved strategy in animal development to pattern tissues. However, the molecular mechanisms which cells use to sort out from one another at compartment boundaries are not understood. The aim of this proposal is to identify these molecular mechanisms. We propose to identify molecules required for the segregation of cells at compartment boundaries through a large-scale RNA interference based screen. The anterior-posterior compartment boundary of the developing Drosophila wing will be used as a model system. This approach takes advantage of the recent availability of validated transgenic RNA interference lines targeting more than 90% of all genes in this model organism. To conduct the screen, we have developed, and validated, a novel assay. This assay combines rapid and faithful analysis of cell segregation at the anterior-posterior compartment boundary with the option to knock-down gene function by RNA interference. This project promises not only to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying the formation of the anteriorposterior compartment boundary in Drosophila, but will also shed light on the fundamental mechanisms which cells use to physically organize themselves within tissues.