Genetic Control of Eye Specification

描述(由申请人提供)：这项建议的长期目标是详细了解果蝇眼组织决定的基因控制。眼原基的特性涉及多个信号通路(DPP、WG、HH)和转录因子(Toy、Ey、Eya、So、DAE、HTH、TSH)之间的相互作用，这些转录因子连接在一起，控制着眼睛神经发生的启动。在这项资助中，我们建议研究这些分子在启动神经发生中的功能，分析一个新基因在这一过程中的作用，并确定影响眼睛规格的其他因素。 这笔赠款的具体目的是： 1.通过解剖原神经基因无序的转录调控，阐明神经发生的分子机制； 2.从分子和遗传水平研究眼睛发育所必需的基因座L(3)96Bb-CG5807的功能； 3.依靠改进的误表达筛选来识别眼睛规范的新型调节剂。 由于这项研究中研究的因素是保守的，并在脊椎动物眼睛发育中发挥重要作用，我们的工作将为深入了解对哺乳动物眼睛发育至关重要并与眼睛和大脑先天性疾病有关的遗传因素提供见解。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objective of this proposal is to gain a detailed understanding of the genetic control of eye-tissue determination in Drosophila. The specification of the eye primordium involves interactions between multiple signaling pathways (dpp, wg, hh) and transcription factors (Toy, Ey, Eya, So, Dae, Hth, Tsh) linked in a regulatory cascade that controls initiation of neurogenesis in the eye. In this grant, we propose to investigate the function of these molecules in initiating neurogenesis, to analyze the role of a novel gene in this process, and to identify other factors that contribute to eye specification. The specific aims of this grant are: 1. to elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to initiation of neurogenesis by dissecting the transcriptional control of the proneural gene atonal; 2. to investigate at molecular and genetic levels the function of l(3)96Bb-CG5807, a locus required for eye specification; 3. to identify novel regulators of eye specification relying on a modified misexpression screen. Since the factors studied in this proposal are conserved and play significant roles in vertebrate eye development, our work will provide insights into genetic factors that are central to mammalian eye development and are linked to congenital disorders of the eye and brain.