MALE SPECIFIC FRU TARGET GENES

在黑腹果蝇中，无果基因（fru）位于性别决定等级的一个分支的顶端，该分支在中枢神经系统（CNS）的一小部分起作用，控制雄性求偶行为的各个方面。Fru，像性别决定等级中的其他基因一样，在差异RNA剪接水平上受到性别特异性调节。这项研究的目的是了解男性特有的FRU（一种转录因子）是如何产生雄性求爱行为的。本研究的具体目的是在男性特异性FRU表达的两个发育阶段鉴定和表征男性特异性FRU靶基因。拟议的研究将进行如下。从雄性、雌性和fru突变雄性的头部中分离出PolyA mRNA，并作为模板制作荧光标记探针。将用双色荧光标记探针探测果蝇EST cDNA微阵列，以识别与女性大脑相比，男性大脑中表达更高的基因，并且需要男性特异性FRU才能实现更高的表达。在没有确定足够数量的靶基因的情况下，也提出了探针的替代来源。潜在的雄性特异性FRU靶基因将被分析，以确定它们是否在FRU的遗传下游，并确定它们在创造雄性求爱行为潜力方面的遗传功能。

In Drosophila melanogaster the fruitless (fru) gene is at the top of a branch of the sex determination hierarchy that functions in a small part of the central nervous system (CNS) to control all aspects of male courtship behavior. Fru, like other genes in the sex determination hierarchy, is sex-specifically regulated at the level of differential RNA splicing. The goal of the proposed research is to understand how male-specific FRU, which is a transcription factor, creates the potential for male-courtship behavior. The specific aim of the proposed research is the identification and characterization of male-specific FRU target genes from two developmental stages when male-specific FRU is expressed. The proposed research will proceed as follows. PolyA mRNA from heads of males, females and fru mutant males will be isolated and used as a template to make fluorescently labeled probes. A Drosophila EST cDNA microarray will be probed with two-color fluorescently labeled probes to identify genes that are more highly expressed in male brains as compared to female brains, and that required male-specific FRU for this higher expression. Alternative sources of probes are also presented in case a sufficient number of target genes are not identified. Potential male-specific FRU target genes will be analyzed to determine if they are genetically downstream of fru and to determine their genetic function in creating the potential for male courtship behavior.