Genes required for compartment boundary formation

将组织细分成称为隔室的非混合细胞组，是动物发育过程中形成组织模式的一种进化保守策略。然而，细胞用来在隔室边界彼此分拣的分子机制尚不清楚。这项建议的目的是确定这些分子机制。我们建议通过基于大规模RNA干扰的筛选来识别在间隔边界分离细胞所需的分子。发育中的果蝇翅膀的前后室边界将被用作模型系统。这种方法利用了最近针对这种模式生物中90%以上的基因的有效转基因RNA干扰线的可用性。为了进行筛查，我们开发并验证了一种新的检测方法。这种分析方法结合了对细胞在前后间隔边界的分离的快速而准确的分析，以及通过RNA干扰来下调基因功能的选择。这个项目不仅有望深入了解果蝇前后室边界形成的潜在机制，而且还将阐明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.