REGULATION OF RHODOPSIN GENE EXPRESSION IN DROSOPHILA

果蝇视紫红质基因表达的调控

• 批准号: 6518393
• 负责人: Tiffany Cook
• 金额: $ 4.81万
• 依托单位: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-03-08 至
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6518393
• 关键词: Drosophilidae; color visions; gene expression; genetic regulation; protein structure function; rhodopsin; transcription factor; visual photoreceptor

Color vision relies on a detection of distinct wavelengths of light by different rhodopsin molecules present in photoreceptor cells (PR's). To avoid sensory overlap, most visual systems have developed a mechanism to allow just one rhodopsin (Rh) to be expressed per PR. Recent evidence has suggested that the regulation of rh gene expression is purely transcriptional, requiring the combination of a site for PR identity together with subtype specificity elements. Pax-6 recently been shown to be important for PR identity through an element common to all rh genes. Furthermore, preliminary data indicates that the transcription factor orthodenticle (otd) is important for subtype-specific expression of rh3, rh5, and rh6. However, most of the transcription factors responsible for PR subtype specificity have not yet been described. Therefore, the studies described in this proposal are focused on identifying and characterizing the transcription factors involved in rh gene expression. To achieve these goals, we will address three specific aims: 1) characterize the role of Pax-6 in PR-specific rh gene expression; 2) characterize the role of otd in subtype- specific rh gene expression; and 3) identify novel transcription factors involved in subtype-specific gene expression. These experiments will be performed using a variety of molecular and genetic approaches. The successful completion of this work will lead to a better understanding of the regulation of the rhodopsin family of proteins necessary for color vision in the Drosophila compound eye. Interestingly, the vertebrate homologs of both Pax-6 and otd have been associated with retina-specific gene expression, and mutations in these gene products result in eye- specific diseases such as aniridia and cone-rod dystrophy. Therefore, studies derived from this work may also provide insight into the mechanisms underlying patterning of the vertebrate retina.

色觉依赖于感光细胞（PR）中不同的视紫红质分子对不同波长的光的检测。 为了避免感官重叠，大多数视觉系统已经开发出一种机制，允许只有一个视紫红质（Rh）被表达每个PR。最近的证据表明，RH基因表达的调节是纯粹的转录，需要结合PR身份的网站连同亚型特异性元素。 Pax-6最近被证明是重要的PR身份，通过一个共同的所有RH基因的元素。 此外，初步数据表明，转录因子orthodenticle（otd）是重要的亚型特异性表达的rh 3，rh 5和rh 6。 然而，大多数负责PR亚型特异性的转录因子尚未被描述。 因此，在这个建议中描述的研究集中在识别和表征参与rh基因表达的转录因子。 为了实现这些目标，我们将致力于三个具体目标：1）表征Pax-6在PR特异性rh基因表达中的作用; 2）表征otd在亚型特异性rh基因表达中的作用;和3）鉴定参与亚型特异性基因表达的新型转录因子。 这些实验将使用各种分子和遗传方法进行。 这项工作的成功完成将导致更好地了解果蝇复眼中色觉所需的视紫红质家族蛋白质的调节。 有趣的是，Pax-6和otd两者的脊椎动物同源物与视网膜特异性基因表达相关，并且这些基因产物中的突变导致眼特异性疾病，例如无虹膜和视锥-视杆营养不良。因此，从这项工作中衍生的研究也可能提供深入了解脊椎动物视网膜图案化的机制。