Regulation of Development by Maternal Gene Production

斯蒂芬森博士提出的研究目标是描述母性效应基因吞噬的发育作用。母体效应基因仅在卵子形成期间转录：产物被包装到卵子中，是胚胎发育所必需的。斯蒂芬森博士克隆了燕子基因座，并在此提出了对该基因的详细分析，以确定其对发育的生化和分子贡献。他建议：1)通过测序和S1核酸酶分析，确定燕子基因及其转录物的分子特征。2)燕子蛋白的分析，通过对细菌中产生的融合蛋白产生抗体和随后的免疫学分析。这些实验将使他能够在物理上表征燕子蛋白，并提供其时空表达的描述。3)测定燕子蛋白在卵母细胞中过表达或在不适宜的发育时期表达的影响。这些实验将解决对吞咽表达的暂时限制要求的问题，并可能提供有关其功能的重要线索。斯蒂芬森博士的目标是了解母体对胚胎发生的性质和发育影响。他正在使用强大的遗传和分子技术来解决果蝇的问题。

The goal of Dr. Stephenson's proposed research is to characterize the developmental role of the maternal effect gene swallow. Maternal effect genes are transcribed only during oogenesis: the products are packaged into the egg and are necessary for embryonic development. Dr. Stephenson has cloned the swallow locus, and here proposes a detailed analysis of this gene for the purpose of determining its biochemical and molecular contribution to development. He proposes: 1) Molecular characterization of the swallow gene and its transcript, by sequencing, and S1 nuclease analysis. 2) Analysis of the swallow protein, by generation of antibodies to fusion proteins produced in bacteria and subsequent immunological analysis. These experiments will allow him to characterize physically the swallow protein, and provide a description of its temporal and spatial expression. 3) Determination of the effects of overexpressing swallow protein in the oocyte, or expressing it at inappropriate developmental periods. These experiments will address the question of a temporally-restricted requirement for expression of swallow, and may provide important clues concerning its function. Dr. Stephenson's goals are to understand the nature and developmental effects of maternal contributions to embryogenesis. He is using the powerful genetic and molecular techniques available in Drosophila to approach this problem.