Pole plasm assembly in drosophila melanogaster

我们的实验室已经做出了实质性的贡献，使用果蝇Drosophila melanogaster，对了解基因调控的新机制，这些机制对于将发育成卵子和精子的细胞的规格至关重要。 越来越明显的是，这些机制对哺乳动物的发育也很重要，而且不仅限于产生这些生殖细胞的细胞。 事实上，这些机制，其中涉及调节蛋白质的合成从特定的本地RNA。可能是包括人类在内的所有动物学习和记忆的主要机制。 在下一个资助期内，我们将继续研究一种定位的RNA gcl，以进一步阐明它是如何被控制的，以及一种被称为贝儿的蛋白质，它参与了这种基因调控方法。 我们还将确定RNA干扰（另一种新发现的基因调控机制）参与生殖细胞特化的程度。

Our laboratory has made substantial contributions, using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, toward understanding new mechanisms of gene regulation that are essential for the specification of the cells that will develop into eggs and sperm.  It has become increasingly apparent that these mechanisms are also important for mammalian development, and are not only restricted to the cells that give rise to these germ cells.  In fact, these mechanisms, which involve regulating synthesis of proteins from specific localized RNAs. may be a major mechanism underlying learning and memory in all animals including humans.  In the next term of the grant we will continue our study of one localized RNA, gcl, in an effort to further elucidate how it is controlled, and of a protein called Belle that is involved in this method of gene regulation.  We will also determine the extent to which RNA interference, another newly-discovered mechanism of gene regulation, is involved in germ cell specification.